15th. April 2020. Daily Devotion.

It has been very heartening to me to hear that so many people are encouraged by the daily devotionals and that they have become an integral part of your daily routine. It is sometimes difficult to establish a time for reading meditation and prayer, especially when our lives are busy. We have been afforded this time by these current circumstances to develop and exercise our faith. Redeem the time! Colossians 4:5

George Mueller wrote: “Trials are the food of faith. Oh, we may leave ourselves in the hands of our heavenly Father! It is the joy of His hear to do good to all His children. Yet trials and difficulties are not the only way faith is exercised and thereby increased. Reading the Scriptures also acquaints us with God as He has revealed himself in them.”

“There are three things for which the Christian needs a regular time alone during the day: meditation on the Scripture, prayer, and intercession…” Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

“In our meditation, we read the text given to us on the strength of the promise that it has something quite personal to say to us for this day and for our standing as Christians․ It is not only God’s Word for the community of faith, but also God’s Word for me personally.…

We are to read the Word of God as God’s Word for us. Therefore, we do not ask what this text has to say to other people. For those of us who are preachers that means we will not ask how we would preach or teach on this text, but what it has to say to us personally.” DB

When the Word of God comes to you, it always comes personally. Your soul knows what the message is; it is not a coincidence that a certain phrase, or a thought that is triggered by a reading speaks to you. It does not matter what it might say to someone else, but what it says to you. That is how guidance, comfort, grace and strength from God comes to each of us. Read and let it speak to you in your day and your need.

Psalm 27
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savio0r.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5

12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Prayers

Lord Jesus Christ,
you taught us to love our neighbour,
and to care for those in need
as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety, give us strength
to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick,
and to assure the isolated
of our love, and your love,
for your name’s sake.
Amen.

Merciful God,
we entrust to your tender care
those who are ill or in pain,
knowing that whenever danger threatens
your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe.
Comfort and heal them,
and restore them to health and strength;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Gracious God,
give skill, sympathy and resilience
to all who are caring for the sick,
and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.
Strengthen them with your Spirit,
that through their work many will be restored to health;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Church of England Covid 19 Guidance)

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers and thoughts, for every good thought can be turned in a moment into a prayer