Today’s devotion comes from Romans 1:26-32 which continues Paul’s discourse of unbelief and its consequences.
“26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,
27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.” Romans 1:26-32.
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It is difficult to read this Scripture. We search for hope as to how we can avoid these consequences. In so doing, we focus on verse 28 and meditate on how we can “acknowledge God” as we should.
We generally reason that when we acknowledge someone, we acquire knowledge about that someone. We think that we can acquire knowledge about God by reading God’s Word, the Bible. We also remember yesterday’s Scripture. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. So, we also try to learn more about God through His creation.
We also generally reason that when we acknowledge someone, we communicate with that someone. We think that we should communicate with God. We further think: “How can we communicate with God?” And, we conclude that we should pray to God.
We also specifically remember yesterday’s parallel verse. “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:21. And, we think that two components of acknowledging God as we should is to “honor” God and “give thanks” to God.
Putting it together, we use the Lord’s Prayer as one way that we can “acknowledge God” by reading the following Scripture, praying to God, honoring God, and giving thanks to God. Certainly, there are other ways that we can and should acknowledge God such as obeying God’s commandments and doing His will, but sincerely praying the Lord’s Prayer is one way that we can acknowledge God.
“9 “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]” Matthew 6:9-13.
“9 “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]” Matthew 6:9-13.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 