9th. October. 2020. Daily Devotion
Philippians 4:10-13
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
The cure for disappointment
The ways of God are without fault. Psalm 18:30
When God doesn’t do what we want, it’s not easy. Never has been. Never will be. But faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and he will get us through it.
Remember, disappointment is cured by revamped expectations.
I like the story about the fellow who went to the pet store in search of a singing parakeet. Seems he was a bachelor, and his house was too quiet. The store owner had just the bird for him, so the man bought it.
The next day the bachelor came home from work to a house full of music. He went to the cage to feed the bird and noticed for the first time that the parakeet had only one leg.
He felt cheated that he’d been sold a one-legged bird, so he called and complained.
“What do you want,” the store owner responded, “a bird who can sing or a bird who can dance?”
Good question for times of disappointment – from He Still Moves Stones M.L.
The Norwegian theologian, Ole Hallesby, in a book called Prayer tells of a girl who desperately wanted a new dress for which she prayed earnestly. As it was during the war no new dress was forthcoming, so she changed her prayer to, “Lord help me to be content with the dress which I have.”
Come to Our Aid
In the morning Abraham called upon you on the mountain top and you answered him, O lover of men; and in the morning I call upon you, come to my aid and the aid of all your servants, O God, full of mercy, hallelujah, and have mercy upon us.
Amen.
To Live in the Joy of Faith
Almighty God, you have promised that, if we confess our sins, you will be faithful to forgive them: renew and strengthen my faith in your incomprehensible love and mercy for the penitent sinner. Free me from the burden of guilt and anxiety that the judgments of the human mind try to inflict upon me. Let me live as a forgiven soul, filled with the joy of salvation that only faith can bring. As Christ himself was faithful, even unto death, let me be truly faithful, even to the end.
I know that, as your Son suffered, I must suffer in life; but I pray that you will be with me, to comfort and assure me, even when the world and the flesh abuse me. For I know that you will bring me to an end of perfect bliss and that, even in this perilous life, I may live in joy and thanksgiving by virtue of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Meditation
“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.” ~ Mother Theresa.
Let us pray to God,
who alone makes us dwell in safety:
For all who are affected by coronavirus,
through illness or isolation or anxiety,
that they may find relief and recovery:
Lord, hear us,
For those who are guiding our nation at this time,
and shaping national policies,
that they may make wise decisions:
Lord, hear us,
For doctors, nurses and medical researchers,
that through their skill and insights
many will be restored to health:
Lord, hear us,
For the vulnerable and the fearful,
for the gravely ill and the dying,
that they may know your comfort and peace:
Lord, hear us,
We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
