Daily Devotion

1st May – The Virtue of Steadfastness

Audio

Today is Thursday, 1st of May. It is also the Feast Day for Philip and James, the Apostles.

The Apostle Philip was one of Christ’s first disciples, called soon after his Master’s baptism in the Jordan. John 1:43 records for us how Jesus found Philip and said, “Follow Me.”

St James the Lesser is so-called to distinguish him from St. James the Greater, the brother of John, whose feast-day is July 25. James gave us the Book of James. He played a key leadership role in the Church at Jerusalem.

We will pray the words of Psalm 139:1-6

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
³ You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
⁵ You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.

The Scripture Reading is James 1:1-12

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

¹² Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Reflection

When it comes to our growth and development, we tend to prize education and experience. One gives us knowledge; the other, wisdom. Both are invaluable in shaping who we are. The same applies to our spiritual growth as Christians.

In his letter, the Apostle James highlights a virtue that is often overlooked, yet essential to our maturity: steadfastness. Compared to love, faith, or hope, steadfastness might seem quiet, even boring. But James tells us it is the key to becoming “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

True maturity isn’t just the accumulation of knowledge or wise sayings. It’s the ability to remain grounded and faithful through all seasons of life. After all, what good is wisdom or success if, like King Solomon, we end our journey poorly?

Steadfastness is what keeps us rooted when everything else is shaking. It deepens who we are. It strengthens what we already know. And, most powerfully, it perfects us—not by the absence of trials, but through them.

This often-overlooked virtue doesn’t shout. It waits. It endures. It holds on when everything else is tempted to let go. Steadfastness is like a savings account: it protects us, and over time, it yields interest—forming character, resilience, and deeper faith.

No wonder the ultimate words of commendation we long to hear one day are not: “Well done, my successful and brilliant servant,” but:

“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

We end with this collect:

Almighty and everlasting God,
you have given to us your servants grace,
by the confession of a true faith,
to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity,
and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity:
Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship,
and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We end with this hymn by Sarah Groves, He’s Always been Faithful:

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Morning by morning, I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine
Season by season, I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me

I can’t remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can’t remember one single regret
In serving God only and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me

This is my anthem, this is my song
The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful
He’s always been faithful
He’s always been faithful to me

Link to today’s Morning Office