Today's Devotion

Bible Reading: Isaiah 51:5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.

Our comforts and technology, our wealth and prosperity have ruined us. We have lost our spiritual mooring, and it is our ease of living that has been the tool to bring it about. Through comfortable living, we learn to trust what adds comfort and removes trouble. It is the human way, and the trap is easily set. No one wants to work harder, go through more trials, carry more burdens.

Yet, we are told in the Scriptures that we are to trust the Lord. Hard work, trials, and burdens make the storms of life - and it is in these very storms, when we are at the ends of ourselves, that we get close to God and trust in Him. For some reason, we need to be without all other resources before we'll give over to the Lord completely. We put prayer as a last resort, not a first resort. Money solves many problems. Science and Medicine many others - especially if we have enough money. Lawyers solve other problems, and politicians answer several more. Where's the Lord in all this? He is there, waiting for us to turn to Him. He wants to draw us near to Him, so He strips us of these other resources to reveal Himself to be there, trustworthy, powerful, effective, and patient.

Troubles, then, serve us best when, in the midst of them we open our eyes to the Lord, and see His mighty hands at work on our behalf. We get to know Him more deeply then than at any other time. Let's be strong and believe, glorifying the Lord in these trials and storms of life. Let's Honor Him by being courageous and confident in Christ. Show the rich how God does more than money for the poor. Show the intellectual how much more the Lord knows and teaches the uneducated. Show the strong and powerful what God can do for the week as He supports and carries you through to valiant and mighty deeds in His name.

Bro. Greg