2nd. July. 2021. Daily Devotion.
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ — Matthew 25:37-40
A friend made a gift for me that I treasure. It’s a small, neatly stained block of wood on which he glued several little pieces of wood. When I show it to people, it puzzles many of them. They see nothing meaningful in this block of wood. Others look at it, and their faces brighten as they “get it.” The little pieces are arranged in such a way that they spell “JESUS.” But you can see the name only if you look at the block a certain way. It reminds me that Jesus can be with us even when we don’t see him.
A missionary colleague in Nigeria helped me to “see” Jesus. As we stood under the hot sun in the middle of Africa, he pointed to the door of the small building where he kept an office and said, “Harvey, sometimes I find it hard to know if it’s Jesus I see at that door.”
No one was there at that moment, but many people had come up to that door, and others would be coming—to ask for help with school fees or hospital bills or transportation costs or other needs. So, the question often crossed his mind: Is this a request from Jesus?
It isn’t easy to know. His response? “I would rather make the mistake of thinking this was a request from Jesus, even if it wasn’t—than to think it wasn’t but it was!” He was remembering Jesus’ words in our Scripture reading for today.
Am I willing to look in such a way that I can see Jesus when someone asks for help? – H. Kiekover.
Prayer
Lord may our love for you enable us to see that we can serve you as we attend to others. Amen.
Prayer of Praise for God’s Comfort
How filled with sweetness are those whose thoughts dwell on Thee, How life-giving Thy holy Word. To speak with Thee is more soothing than anointing with oil, sweeter than the honeycomb. To pray to Thee lifts the spirit, refreshes the soul. Where Thou art not, there is only emptiness; hearts are smitten with sadness; nature, and life itself, become sorrowful; where Thou art, the soul is filled with abundance, and its song resounds like a torrent of life: Alleluia! Amen. ~ Gregory Petrov
Thanks to God for Coming to Us
Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all.
You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace. I bless and thank you for finding me, Lord; may I never more take a breath without a heart filled with your Spirit. Amen. Based on The Confessions of St. Augustine.
Ever Present Help Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that you are an ever-present help in times of trouble. We hear the words of Jesus: Do not be afraid, just believe and you will be healed. Remove our fear and unbelief, help us to have confidence in your power to bring healing and restoration. Increase our faith in you that we may see you at work more clearly. May we grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To you be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
