Daily Devotionals

Golden Treasury

Devotional: July 17th

Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. Psalms 25:1. Divine answer. Thou hast heard the desire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their hearts, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. Psalms 10:17.

Faith only desires Christ and does neither delight in the gain, nor grieve much in the loss of temporal things; but as Luther says, "faith through an earnest desire for Christ and his word, rises above all creatures, and overcomes all worldly pleasures and fears." And this being the work of God, will certainly be accomplished; nay, is looked upon as really accomplished, already in our own desires and endeavors after it; in the same manner as evil desires are reckoned for deeds in the sight of God, though they never proceed to overt acts.

I cannot bear thine absence Lord,
My life expires if thou depart:
Be thou, my heart, still near my God,
And thou, my God, be near my heart.

I was not born for earth and sin.
Nor can I live on things so vile;
Yet I will stay my Father’s time,
And hope and wait for heaven awhile.

Then, dearest Lord, in thine embrace,
Let me resign my fleeting breath,
And with a smile upon my face,
Pass the important hour of deaths.