Today's Devotional
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:19-20
Once I was discussing the subject of gratitude with a friend who had broken her ankle. For her, being on crutches wasn’t fun. There were many appointments and travel plans she had to cancel. “I can accept a verse like I Thessalonians 5:18, ‘Give thanks in all circumstances...’” she sighed, looking at her leg cast, “but I don’t think I could give thanks for this clunky thing.”
Something about her comment troubled me. People are willing to thank God in the midst of their circumstances for his grace, comfort, and sustaining power. But they draw a line when it comes to the circumstances themselves. We segregate God from the suffering he allows, as though a broken ankle merely “happens,” and God shows up after the fact. We don’t thank God for the problem, just for finding him in it.
But today’s verse underscores the supreme sovereignty of God over all suffering. The apostle Paul – who endured his share of tragedies – never considered his circumstances as tragic. He tells all believers we should be, “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” [italics mine].
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I give God thanks for my quadriplegia. It has become the strange friend which helps me know Jesus better. It is the shadowy companion that walks with me daily, pulling and pushing me into the arms of the Savior where I find grace and comfort. Your affliction falls well within the overarching decrees of God. It comes from his wise and kind hand and for that, you can give thanks. In it and for it.
Sovereign God, today I bring my affliction and disappointment before your throne. I thank you in it... for it... and ultimately I thank you for bringing me through it. Please increase a spirit of gratitude that I might always be thankful.
From More Precious Than Silver, April 6, by Joni Eareckson Tada, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998.
Tomorrow's Devotional
He allowed no one to oppress [his anointed]... The Lord made his people very fruitful...
He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold... He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night... He satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock and water gushed out... He remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham... Praise the Lord.
Psalm 105:14,24,37,39,40 42,45
Emotions are one of the least reliable, yet influential forces in our lives. One day, we are hopeful, the next, we hate. Despair at one time, delight, the other. Emotions are the surging, restless tides that keep ebbing and flowing, drawing us up, then pushing us down.
The Psalms are a gyroscope, keeping moving things level, like a ship held steady in turbulent seas. This is why the Psalms often repeat the admonition to "Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles and the judgments he pronounced" (Psalm 105:5).
My friend used to say, “Never doubt in the darkness what you once believed in the light.” When hardship settles in, dark and brooding emotions can surge over us in a tide of doubt and fear. The only sure dike against a flood of glum feelings is to remember. We must recall sunnier times when we drove the pilings of God's goodness deep in our hearts. Happier times when we felt our moorings of trust hold ground. When we lived on his blessings, knew his favor, were grateful for his gifts, and felt the flesh and blood of his everlasting arms underneath us. This is what all 45 verses of Psalm 105 call us to do.
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While it is light, write down things you know to be true. When darkness comes, pull out your list and remember what your feelings have forgotten!
Lord, you are the Light of the World. Help me to remember your kindness and goodness to me when the horizon on my life begins to darken. Thank you for Psalm 105.
From More Precious Than Silver, April 6, by Joni Eareckson Tada, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998.
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