In the 19th century, there was... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

All … being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23–24

In the 19th century, there was great poverty in many cities. Children everywhere were suffering from hunger and had to beg to survive.

One evening, two poorly dressed children sneaked into a room where the gospel was being preached. No one noticed them – except the preacher. They sat down on a bench near the door and listened attentively as he read and explained the Bible verse, “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1).

When the sermon was over, they quietly and inconspicuously left the room. The preacher was disappointed that he hadn’t been able to speak to them, but as he later stood in the street, someone tugged at his sleeve. It was the girl from the back of the chapel.

“Please, sir, give me something for my sick mother!” she asked.

“What do you want me to give you?” he asked her.

“Just some milk. I don’t have any money, but you said ‘Come, buy without money’. I also brought a jug for the milk.”

The girl invoked a promise in the Bible that has a spiritual meaning. But God responded in a very practical way to her faith. The preacher accompanied the child home and found her mother very sick. He provided milk and food as well as a doctor. But he also introduced them to the Saviour, Jesus Christ, through whom every believer is “justified freely”.

It is very simple: I need to take God at His word and come – then I will receive what He wants to give me for free!

Today’s reading: Daniel 2:31-49 · Psalms 38:12-22