Devotional for April 21

Abundance Even in Days of Famine

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.
18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. Psalm 37:10-19 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Hardship and failure are the master teachers of the curriculum of practical life experience 101. Blessed is the man who has come to know his own limitations. Where are the saints who will stand as the hedge to slow the coming of the end so that all the elect may be gathered into the kingdom of the Lord? Oh Lord, turn us again and slow the tide of wickedness in this world that threatens to consume us all. For God has commanded the blessing on all who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, but the prideful who don’t know Christ shall be like the chaff that the wind blows away. Pride is a robber and a thief attempting to steal the glory that rightfully belongs to God alone. It takes humility to acknowledge your own weakness. Humble yourself before the Lord and learn to depend on God alone. Rely on your own strength and that is all you will have. Far better to deny self, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus in doing the will of God. By faith rely on the grace of God, and out of your weakness God will make you strong for the harvest.

Question

Why does God allow pain and suffering?

Answer

Pain and suffering are teachers like no other (Psalm 119:71; 2 Timothy 3:12-17). It may be impossible to learn our own insufficiency (Ecclesiastes 7:11-14; Psalm 10:3-4) and our need for the Savior in any other way (Psalm 31:19-24). 

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty and everlasting God, grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer