1st April 2020. Daily Devotion.

Good morning everyone,

Recently I have been practising the piano a lot. Going back to student days, I begin each session with five finger exercises. They are designed for strength and speed and each takes about a minute each exercise becoming progressively harder. The goal is to play continuously for up to an hour. Book One takes twenty minutes. Like running or working in the gym, there are times when you must psych up to keep going. By no. eight you think “nearly half-way.” Then by no. sixteen, which is tricky, you are relieved to have only four more to play and that they are more interesting. Books two and three become progressively more challenging. Keeping this up requires perseverance.

This lockdown period may feel like that, an endurance with no certainty about how long it will last, and how can we keep going. Faith is like that too. Here is a biblical perspective and a commentary on perseverance which I hope you may find helpful.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

An old seaman once said, “In fierce storms we must do one thing, for there is only one way to survive: we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.” And this, dear Christian, is what you must do.

Sometimes, like Paul, you cannot see the sun or the stars to help you navigate when the storm is bearing down on you. This is when you can do only one thing, for there is only one way. Reason cannot help you, past experiences will shed no light, and even prayer will bring no consolation. Only one course remains: you must put your soul in one position and keep it there.
You must anchor yourself steadfastly upon the Lord. And then, come what may—whether wind, waves, rough seas, thunder, lightning, jagged rocks, or roaring breakers—you must lash yourself to the helm, firmly holding your confidence in God’s faithfulness, His covenant promises, and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus. Richard Fuller

Please continue to pray for families affected by the Covid 19 infection, for people in intensive care and on respirators, for families unable to visit or say good-bye to the dying, for those whose mourning is hard because of restrictions on funerals, and for all who are facing financial difficulty. For the lonely, the isolated, the homeless, people in prison, and for everyone who goes out to serve in the community to keep all services and care going for us. For yourself for faith, courage and peace.

Keep safe and well and God bless you,
Colin