Devotion
Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen!
David Jacobs
One of my best friends died when I was young. He was young and strong, diagnosed with testicular cancer at 21. He was given a high chance of survival, nearly 80%, so we remained hopeful throughout the process. Sadly, he was not one of the lucky 80%. At the time, I cried more than I have cried before. Tears of sadness turned to anger, and I really blamed God for doing this to him. "Only the good die young." Perhaps you have heard this before. Why would God have taken him? My friend was a far better person than me, certainly. It didn't make any sense to me and I was furious with God for a long period of time. What did this anger get me? Did I feel any better? No. Did I get to see my friend as a result? No. Did I appreciate all the good things that I had with my friend? No. Did I appreciate all of the good that I had with God? I think you know the answer to that....
People die. Sin exists. The devil works tirelessly to recruit and destroy. Troubles come and go, but the word of the Lord remains our only constant. Work, family, money, health...all of these things fluctuate, both good and bad. As the Apostles have shown, happiness will always be attainable through God and in service to Him. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Perhaps this idiom is a good example of our relationship with the Lord. A real testament to our character and to our relationship with God is on full display when we are at our most downtrodden.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me for using your name in vain! I was selfish and weak, O Lord, thinking only of my own pain instead of the good that you have instilled in me. Lord, I ask that you comfort all that have felt pain as I have, and grant their heart peace and resolve so that they can grow closer to you. Thank you, loving Father, for listening to all of our anger and prayers, and we know that you have sent your only begotten son, Jesus, so that we may be forgiven. In his holy name I pray, Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
