BIBLE MEDITATION
“And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely…He put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”
Acts 16:23-25
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
A lot of people are suffering—people whose bodies are being devoured by some malady; a lady with children whose husband just walked out, people whose world is upside-down. They need Thanksgiving more than anyone else. But it would be a mockery to say, “Oh, cheer up. We’ll just paint the clouds with sunshine. God’s in His heaven; all’s right with the world.”
God’s in His heaven, yes—but all’s not right in this world. Many people are hurting. But we need to remember, the Bible says “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). That doesn’t mean give thanks for cancer or a child who’s just been run over and killed. Oh no. But in the midst of this we say, “God, You are greater than all of this. Your providence has either allowed it or brought it to pass. Lord, I’m just trusting You and praising You because You’re all I have. My eyes are on You. And, Lord, I praise You that You will make a way for me.” This is not only an attitude that shows humility, but it shows great faith when we praise God in these circumstances.
Jesus, fully human, wept. He’s moved with compassion when we suffer. He is a tender, compassionate Savior.
ACTION POINT
Nothing comes to us but what He allows, and He will never, ever, leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Praise God even in the hard times. Your praise even in the darkest hour brings Him even more glory. Decide that you will praise Him today.
LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers
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