1st. May. 2021. Daily Devotion.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
Psalms 86:11-12
11 Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name for ever.
Selwyn Hughes wrote the following:
Instead of trying to get back at them (people who have hurt us), we withdraw from them and decide never again to give them an opportunity to hurt us. Hence, in future we relate to them at a superficial level – close enough to be considered friendly, or sociable, but not close enough to get hurt. Notice what God says we ought to do when we become victims of spitefulness or animosity: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink… Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good” (Roman12:20-21) What this text is saying, you see, is this: be concerned about the person who has hurt you and put that concern into action; get close to them again and risk being hurt again.
To cling to our hurts and use them as justification for avoiding close relationships is tantamount to saying, “God expects too much of us” Such an attitude is sinful. Why sinful? Because it reflects self-interest more than God-interest. It says to God, “It is not your glory that is at stake here -its mine.” How sad that we are more keen to preserve our own well-being than trust God and His word. I tell you, if we don’t correct this imbalance, we are never going to know God as he really is. We will see his justice only in terms of what it means for us, not in terms of what it means for Him. From Every Day with Jesus.
Prayer
O God, we do not see ourselves, for we look at the sins that others commit against us with open eyes and then turn a blind eye upon the sins we commit against You. Help us to be honest about ourselves as we are about others – and more. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Prayer to Use Our Gifts Wisely
Lord, give me each day the wisdom to see which things are important, and which things are not. Show me how best to use the time and talents you have given me. Help me to use all my opportunities wisely, that I may share, through service to others, the good gifts I have received from you. Amen.
Meditation
“A saint is not someone who is good, but someone who experiences the goodness of God.” ~ Thomas Merton.
Covid 19 Prayers
Let us pray to the Lord,
who is our refuge and stronghold.
For the health and well-being of our nation,
that all who are fearful and anxious
may be at peace and free from worry:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For the isolated and housebound,
that we may be alert to their needs,
and care for them in their vulnerability:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For our homes and families,
our schools and young people,
and all in any kind of need or distress:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For a blessing on our local community,
that our neighbourhoods may be places of trust and friendship,
where all are known and cared for:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously 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.