14th. July. 2021. Daily Devotion.
6 And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you; he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?’ Luke 18:6-8
The question isn’t whether God loves us, or whether he will deliver justice and work all things out in his timing. He does, and he will. The real question is whether we will be faithful as we wait for him to do so.
The only way we can show God that we trust him is by actually doing it. It’s all fine to say we have faith, but in the end, faith is not a profession from our lips, but the response of our lives. Trust means being willing to wait. It means placing our cares into his hands and following him, no matter what. We may not see justice, and when it comes, it may not be what we expect. It may take a long time. If we trust God, though, we know that he loves us and will not let injustice stand. He will defend his chosen ones. The injustice we experience in our lives, and the injustice which thrives on the earth, will all ultimately be put to rest.
Trusting him means forgiving what has been done to us. It means releasing bitterness and returning mistreatment with love. It means obeying him and not finding a quick way out of our pain. It means being willing to pray as long as it takes, to show him that we submit to his timing and yearn to agree in our hearts with his purposes.
When the Son of Man comes back, will he find faith on the earth? That’s the real question. Jesus doesn’t sound as hopeful in Luke 18:8 as we might have expected. An even bigger question presents itself. Will he find faith in me? This is the only question I can answer. It is the question you can answer for yourself, as well. Trust the Lord with your life. He will make all things right. Obey him as you wait patiently for that day. M Cranford.
Help me to wait patiently for you, O Lord. Give me the faith to trust you no matter what life brings. Bring justice against those who would harm me. Keep my eyes on you as you lead me through the difficulties I face. Amen.
A Celtic Morning Prayer
Christ, we rise today
Knowing that you alone
Know our hearts
You alone can change
Our sadness into joy
Forgive us our shortcomings
Teach us patience
Teach us kindness
Help us to forgive
Those who have injured us
And keep us from injuring others
Keep our way lighted
With your steadfast love, Amen. Beth Maxwell Boyle
A Prayer of Repentance
O Lord our God, good and merciful, I acknowledge all my sins which I have committed every day of my life, in thought, word and deed; in body and soul alike. I am heartily sorry that I have ever offended you, and I sincerely repent; with tears I humbly pray you, O Lord: of your mercy forgive me for all my past transgressions and absolve me from them. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your Grace, to amend my way of life and to sin no more; that I may walk in the way of the righteous and offer praise and glory to the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer for coronavirus sufferers
Almighty God, rich in love and full of tenderness, we pray for all those who feel wounded, weary and broken: for the bereaved, the anxious and the isolated. We unite our hearts with them in tears of lament. God come in power, God have mercy, God bring healing, may the oil of your love bring peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen
