24th. August. 2021. Daily Devotion.
7 ‘But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.’ Jeremiah 17:7-8
O loving and living God, may we trust in you as Jeremiah reminds us to, like a tree, planted by water, that depends on you alone to face the challenges of the climate and still produce fruit. Let your nourishment seep into our world today through our hands, minds and voices, that we may seek to bring your reconciling love in Christ to the earth in transformative ways. Amen. Inspired by Jeremiah 17:7-8
Service and Suffering
The place of suffering in service and of passion in mission is hardly ever taught today. But the greatest single secret of evangelistic or missionary effectiveness is the willingness to suffer and die.
It may be a death to popularity (by faithfully preaching the unpopular biblical gospel), or to pride (by the use of modest methods in reliance on the Holy Spirit), or to racial and national prejudice (by identification with another culture), or to material comfort (by adopting a simpler lifestyle). But the servant must suffer if he is to bring light to the nations, and the seed must die if it is to multiply. ~ John Stott (from The Cross of Christ)
In our weakness, O Christ, let us trust your strength; in our darkness let us see your light; in our doubt let us feel your presence and in our despair let us cling to your Cross; for your truth and your mercies’ sake. Amen. François Fénelon (1651-1715)
Peace Prayer
King of Kings, Lord of Lords, thank you that, even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Remind me that your grace is my strength in times of need, your love is my hope in times of distress. You are the God of peace. May you sanctify me completely and may my whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. You, who called me, are faithful to the end. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
