My brother passed along to me a devotional book, “Starck’s Prayer Book.” Johann Friedrich Starck was a German pastor in the first half of the 18th century. I knew the book right away; I have a newer edition but gladly took this 1943 printing when Bruce offered it. What strikes me as I read from Starck, is how the world has changed and, this is what unsettles me, how the world has changed the way many of us Christians view life.
“Awake, thou that sleepest,” Starck begins in his devotion for Tuesday morning, “and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light! O Thou merciful God, whose goodness and faithfulness is renewed every morning, I give Thee thanks and praise with heart and voice because Thou hast again permitted me this morning to rise from my bed in health, and hast preserved my body from harm and my soul from sin.” Who of us begins the day that way? Certainly I should but honestly I don’t.
“I count that day lost on which I have served the world, and have ordered my speech, my action, and my thoughts to suit the habits and the follies of the world. Of all these things I shall one day have to render a strict account before Thy judgment-seat.” Really? How many of us take time to reflect honestly in preparation for rendering our final account? You can only take the final exam one time!
“I prefer to consecrate myself wholly to Thy service with body and soul. Grant that I may wish nothing, propose and think of nothing but what pleases Thee, that this entire day may be hallowed to Thee. Yea, grant that I may always live, speak, and act as though I must die this day.” We wake up and may have goals for the day. How often do we cast our goal in light of our relationship with our God?
I have sometimes asked seminary students how many devotional books they own and am shocked to hear them say that they have few, if any. That must be a reflection of the culture that has bred them. Maybe a gift to give someone on your list this Christmas is a good and old devotional book…if you can find one.
“Give me good counsel when I need counsel. Direct my plans and purposes according to Thy will. Kindle in me the flame of Thy divine love, that I may this day show my faith by my works, abide in sincere love towards Thee and my neighbor, and reach the evening unharmed in my conscience.”
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