20th. November. 2020. Daily Devotion.
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’ 1 Peter 3:8-12
A faithful Christian is an imperfect success in this life; Paul himself says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15) Even worse, most people cannot even read what the Bible says; there are parts they do not want to hear, and they ignore them and interpret them until their Bible is something they have written, rather than something they have read.
But the Bible does change people. For sometimes people do what the Bible tells them to do, rather than what their nature urges them to do; and we see the wonderful effect that Christian faith has during our lives, and the lives of countless millions.
There are times when we are tempted to respond to aggression, unkindness, rudeness or insult with the same. It may be another driver, an unwelcome cold call, or a spiteful remark by a neighbour or acquaintance. Small victories over such temptations help us to realise the peace of God in our minds, Christ told us, “love your enemies,” and if we manage to take one baby step in the right direction, the next time something like that happens, we will be ready to turn the other cheek and spread some of Christ’s love into the world. M Barge (Adapted)
Lord God help me to love even those who do me wrong and follow the example of Christ in all I do. Amen.
For the Day Ahead
Lord God, I come to you in the morning, full of hope that the day to come may be filled with joy and energy. Grant that I may do my work with a light and happy heart; and if there are tasks that I do not look forward to, or even dread, let me undertake them with courage and resolve. For this day could be perfect, if I can only live it in You and with You and for You.
Where I face frustration today, let me handle it with acceptance and faith that the outcome is in Your hands. Lead me away from anger or judgment of other people. Let me tend to my own garden instead of looking over the fence. If my neighbour’s garden is filled with weeds, help me not to criticise, and keep me from envy of those whose tree bears more fruit.
And let everything I attempt be filled with the knowledge and guidance of Your Holy Spirit. I pray that the Spirit will be with me at every moment, and that I will always be aware of Him, and live every moment of this day in Your presence. In Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.
For Healing
By your power, great God, our Lord Jesus healed the sick and gave new hope to the hopeless. Though we cannot command or possess your power, we pray for those who want to be healed (especially for N.). Mend their wounds, soothe fevered brows, and make broken people whole again. Help us to welcome every healing as a sign that, though death is against us, you are for us, and have promised renewed and risen life in Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. —PCUSA The Book of Common Worship © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press.
