The circumstances of our life are often tiring. Many... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2023

I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Psalm 16: 8.

The circumstances of our life are often tiring. Many of us can speak from experience: old age, illness, even the suffering of a loved one, and nobody can change the situation. Some are plagued by worries connected with their work, others have more than they can cope with. In short, we could cite a long list of difficulties that trouble us. Our thanks have been silenced, all joy has gone, and many gloomy thoughts torment us. Basically we all know that things need not be like this.

If anyone was ever in difficulties, it was the apostle Paul as a prisoner in Rome. But we hear no complaint from him. he writes to the Philippians of his own joy and encourages them to rejoice.

How can that man of God possibly do so? Today’s verse was a reality for him. Knowing a verse from the Bible does not mean that we practise it, but knowing it is a start. The chains that prevented the apostle from serving the Lord as he loved to “for the furtherance of the gospel” resulted in others evangelizing. Even if their motives were not sincere, Christ was being preached (cf. Philippians 1: 4.12 – 20; 2: 17.18; 3: 1; 4: 1.4).

Paul was not an incorrigible optimist; he associated his troubles with the Lord’s will and recognised God’s wisdom, circumspection and power in them. That was his secret. Even if this thought is not new to us, let us let us take courage and follow Paul’s example with God’s help.

Today‘s reading: 2 Kings 4: 32 – 44 · John 18: 12 – 18