2nd April 2020. Daily Devotion.

Good Day everyone,

The news is not very encouraging today with NHS testing for the virus floundering, poor economic forecasts and so many things being cancelled as numbers of the sick and dying still increase.
This is very much the time to take Jesus’ teachings about life in general seriously, about worry about fear, about trusting God’s providence. Here are some more thoughts by Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the subject.

“Abuse of earthly goods consists of using them as a security for the next day. Worry is always directed toward tomorrow. But the goods are intended only for today in the strictest sense. It is our securing things for tomorrow which makes us so insecure today. It is enough that each day should have its own troubles. Only those who put tomorrow completely into God’s hand and receive fully today what they need for their lives are really secure. Receiving daily liberates me from tomorrow.”

Biblical Wisdom
“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:33-34 (Read from verse 24 in your Bible.)

Questions to Ponder

If “worry collects treasures, and treasures produce more worries,” how might one stop worrying?
How can we tell the difference between what we really “need” for our lives and what we think we need but really only want? Can we be content with what we really need?
Practically speaking, what would it mean to stop our “abuse of earthly goods” and “put tomorrow completely into God’s hand”?

Psalm Fragment

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life.
in your light we see light. Psalm 36:7-9

Pray for the people you know who are worried or afraid. Ask God to deliver them from their worries by increasing their trust in God’s providential care both for their health and their circumstances. Continue to pray for God’s way for us all through this crisis

Prayer for Today

Lord, I place my worries in your gracious hand and live this day trusting that you are with me and that what I have is more than I need.

Keep safe and well and God bless you,

Colin