Daily Devotion

Voice: Li Huan

Today is Friday, the 17th of April. Let us be still in His presence.

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The appointed psalm for today is Psalm 61

Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
² from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,
³ for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.

⁴ Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
⁵ For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

⁶ Prolong the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!
⁷ May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

⁸ So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I perform my vows day after day.

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.

Colossians 3:12-17

¹²Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 
¹³bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 
¹⁴And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 
¹⁵And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 
¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 
¹⁷And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly

This daily devotion is inspired by the profound words of Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

St. Paul’s epistle to the Colossians is a rich tapestry of Christian virtues, emphasizing humility, compassion, love, and peace. Within this context, verse 16 serves as a cornerstone for understanding how believers are to be continually transformed by the divine.

Every encounter with God’s Word—whether through reading Bible verses, listening to a sermon, or engaging in daily devotion—is an act of inviting Christ’s word to dwell within us. It is not uncommon to experience moments where an immediate, tangible reaction is absent. One might leave a sermon or a cell group discussion without a profound emotional response, or perhaps feel spiritually nourished without being able to articulate specific takeaways.

Yet, in these seemingly uneventful moments, something significant is being deposited within. Even if the precise substance of a sermon or devotion cannot be recalled, a spiritual formation is taking place. The Word of God, subtly yet powerfully, helps to shape our intuitions and instill godly wisdom deep within our being. This process is often gradual, a slow but steady transformation that aligns our inner selves with divine truth.

Just as the spoken or written Word forms us, so too do the “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” we listen to or sing. Music acts as an avenue for embedding God’s Word within us. Singing these sacred texts is a form of meditation, where the repetition of words, coupled with melody and harmony, allows the message to permeate our consciousness.

As our emotions are stirred by the music, the words of the songs become deeply embedded in our hearts and spirits. This emotional engagement enhances the memorization and internalization of biblical truths, making them an integral part of our spiritual formation.

These Praydos daily devotions are founded upon these very principles—the belief that consistent engagement with God’s Word, in its various forms, leads to profound spiritual growth. Therefore, faithfulness to daily devotions, Bible studies, weekly worship, and sermon listening in church services is paramount.

Let us continually strive to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,” allowing it to guide, transform, and enrich every aspect of our lives.

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We pray this Collect written by Cranmer:

Blessed Lord,
who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word,
we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

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In closing, be blessed by an old chorus based on Psalm 19, More to be desired.

Link to full Morning Office