Daily Devotion

Voice: Ting Ai

Today is Tuesday, 24th of February, the seventh day of Lent. As we continue to follow Jesus through the readings of Lent, let us carve out a time and space to be still before Him.

We pray this collect:

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night
and turns the shadow of death into the morning:
Drive far from us all wrong desires,
incline our hearts to keep your law,
and guide our feet into the way of peace;
that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day,
we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Psalm Reading

The appointed Psalm for today is Psalm 44. We read verses 20 to 26.

²⁰ If we had forgotten the name of our God
    or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
²¹ would not God discover this?
    For he knows the secrets of the heart.
²² Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

²³ Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?
    Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!
²⁴ Why do you hide your face?
    Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
²⁵ For our soul is bowed down to the dust;
    our belly clings to the ground.
²⁶ Rise up; come to our help!
    Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

Reflection: Did you know that many of the Psalms are laments? The Bible encourages us to express honestly our deepest griefs and sorrows. God can handle it. Yes, the God of the Bible is familiar with, and unafraid of, the entire range of our human emotions. He gifts us with the Psalms, to give voice to the breadth and depth of how we feel in the context of a faithful covenant relationship with Himself. For this God truly knows the secrets of our hearts and is ever ready to steer us through the storm of overwhelming emotions into the safe harbour of Peace.

Scripture Reading

Galatians 4:12-20

¹² Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. ¹³ You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, ¹⁴ and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? ¹⁷ They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. ¹⁸ It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, ¹⁹ my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! ²⁰ I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Reflection:

Renewing our Affections

The letter to the Galatians is marked by weighty theology. Yet in this passage, we glimpse a tender moment as Paul opens his heart.

“Be like me, for I became like you.”

Paul puts himself on the line: Imitate me. Like the Galatians, he had given up a strict Jewish religious life to follow Jesus. He urges them not to return to the religious traditions they have left behind.

He then reminds them how they first received the gospel — and how they received him. It is likely that Paul had problems with his eyes and came to them in physical weakness. Yet they did not despise him. If it had been possible, he says, they would have torn out their own eyes and given them to him.

Such was their affection.

But now those affections are in danger of waning. In this letter, Paul is admonishing them to remain true to the gospel they first received. He is speaking the truth in love — as a spiritual father would — labouring “until Christ is formed in you.” Some of these words can be unpleasant to hear, and thus their affections for Paul was affected.

Do you realise how easy it is to distance ourselves from those who watch over us? They may be natural parents or spiritual parents. A cell leader. A pastor. A close friend. Distance often begins when they offer stern counsel or appear to interfere with decisions we have already made. Truth can feel intrusive.

Because of this, there is a natural tendency for leaders and loved ones to hold back. Speaking honestly can create discomfort and strain relationships.

Yet speaking the truth in love can be life-saving. It can rescue us from costly mistakes. One day, we may even thank them — though at the time their words jar our spirit and make us want to pull away.

Of course, those who counsel us are imperfect. No advice is flawless. But if there is even a grain of truth in what they say, it may be precisely what we need.

For sometimes, the very voice that unsettles us is the voice labouring for Christ to be formed in us.

A Thought for Lent: During this Lenten season, will you take time to give thanks for those who watch over your soul? And if any relationships have been strained because someone cared enough to say something difficult — will you take a step toward rebuilding affection? Perhaps you can surprise them with a message to show your appreciation for their love and care.

We say the Collect for Ash Wednesday

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our brokenness, 
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness; 
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Be blessed by this Lenten hymn, Ashes by Tom Conry

We rise again from ashes, from the good we’ve failed to do.
We rise again from ashes, to create ourselves anew.
If all our world is ashes, then must our lives be true,
an offering of ashes, an offering to you.

We offer you our failures, we offer you attempts,
the gifts not fully given, the dreams not fully dreamt.
Give our stumblings direction, give our visions wider view,
an offering of ashes, an offering to you.

Then rise again from ashes, let healing come to pain,
though spring has turned to winter, and sunshine turned to rain.
The rain we’ll use for growing, and create the world anew
from an offering of ashes, an offering to you.

Thanks be to the Father, who made us like himself.
Thanks be to his Son, who saved us by his death.
Thanks be to the Spirit who creates the world anew
from an offering of ashes, an offering to you.

Link to the full Morning Office

About This Daily Devotion
This weekday devotion is drawn from the Morning Office and is part of a project initiated by Revd Canon Terry Wong, with contributions from clergy and members across various parishes. Each entry includes selected readings from the appointed Psalm and another Scripture passage, accompanied by a reflection and prayer. An audio option is also available, often ending with a hymn or song. We encourage you to both read and listen.

Our aim is to help Anglicans engage more deeply with our rich liturgical tradition, while meeting the devotional needs of today’s believers. This project began on Ash Wednesday 2025 and is offered on weekdays only.

For feedback, please write to us at info@mpcc.org.sg