(A couple of years ago a dear friend gave me a book of Puritan prayers entitled The Valley of Vision. It had a great impact on my devotional life.)
O my Father, as I read these Puritan prayers each morning they resonate deep within my soul. I read through it once, then I just read it again, then I read over what spoke most pointedly to me, then I am compelled to read the whole thing again. Thank You for the brothers in Christ who so long ago penned what was in their heart, for it speaks to mine today.
Today’s reading has several quotable portions. Here is one:
Let the mighty tide of his everlasting love
cover the rocks of my sin and care;
Then let my spirit float above those things
which had else wrecked my life.
James 2:1-9 (<<click here)
Lord Jesus, as I read this passage James is clearly speaking against the evils of showing favoritism. The example he uses addresses one of our great tendencies – favoring those with much over those with little. And unfortunately that’s how our mind works, we want to side with those whom we are most comfortable, either because we can relate more readily with them or maybe because we hope to benefit from that association.
Whichever way, we lean, whomever we favor, should give us all pause to ask ourselves, “Why?” In reading through the Gospels, You did not respond to bias. You loved and interacted with people from all walks of life. Substance or look thereof did not sway You. You saw who people were on the inside and interacted with them there. You loved the rich, young ruler and the man born blind. You loved Zacchaeus and Nicodemus both. You meet us at our need and go from there. You go right for the heart.
Lord, may I see past the exterior. Enable me to love as You love.
Aug 23rd, 2016, Tues, 6:07 am
