Reading for today
Old Testament: Psalm 39, 40, 41
New Testament: Ephesians 5
Thoughts from today’s reading
Psalm 41:1-3. The one who considers the poor and helps them is doing something that is close to the heart of God. The Lord said, he who gives to the poor lends to the Lord and He will surely repay (Proverbs 19:17).
Ephesians 5:1-2. We are able to imitate God through the new life we have received in Christ Jesus. The main attribute of God we are to imitate is love. Christ modelled love for us through His life and death, so in the same way, walking in love is giving of ourselves to others. We do this not to expect anything back from them in return, but as an offering to God.
Prayer
1. Father, may our eyes always be open and our heart tender towards the poor and those in need. May we not be blinded by our own comforts to the extent that we do not see the needs around us. As we are a blessing to the poor, may we reap deliverance, preservation, strength, and may you help us in ways man cannot help. Thank you Lord in Jesus’ name, amen.
2. Lord, may we be imitators of You and walk in love to one another. May we practice love starting in our homes, may we love ourselves as You love us, may husbands love their wives as their own bodies, may wives reciprocate love and respect to their husbands, may parents be tender-hearted to their children, and may children respond in love and honour, may we love our neighbours as ourselves, may we show care to the widow, fatherless and strangers in need. You have poured out your love in our hearts by your Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) so we thank you for the grace to use this love effectively in bringing glory to your name through Jesus Christ our Lord.