Devotional for March 25

God Is the Restorer Of My Soul

1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. Psalm 71:1-6 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Complaining only helps the enemy of our soul to feed us discouragement. Submit to God and resist the devil. Be filled with the Spirit, the God of all comfort, and take courage. Remember our God rules. Blessings come in two forms: those that are inherently good and those that are inherently bad. Like any loving parent, God only permits what is best for us at any given moment. If good fortune and pleasure is best for us, than God is sure to grant it. If at any particular point pain and suffering is best for us however, God will allow it. Here is the Word for complete assurance in accepting the sweet and the bitter from the hand of God—God works all things together for good for those who love the Him (Romans 8:28). Move to praise and step up to thanksgiving.  Encouraged yourself in the Lord as  David did when everyone and all the world turned against him (see 1 Samuel 30). The words we speak to ourselves and others may not break bones, but they can cause hurt to the soul just the same as sticks and stones hurt the body. Our words can also be used like a healing balm or soothing ointment. Choose to be obedient to the Word of God. By the faith of Jesus Christ we can always praise, give thanks, and rejoice in the goodness of our God. Bearing this fruit in good times and bad glorifies our Father in heaven.

Question

Why do bad things sometimes happen to good people, and good things often happen to bad people?

Answer

All the world groans waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. In the meantime, the righteous may fall seven times, yet rise again each time. Not so with the wicked, shackled with sin, they fall and perish forever.

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring us again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer