Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 44:9-14
Ps 44:9-14
But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies. You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale. You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us.
Acts 12:2-5
He [Herod] had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
All through the Gospel stories, we read about Jesus with Peter, James, and John. It seems that every major event in the ministry of Jesus, these three were included. On the mountain when Jesus was transfigured, when the child was raised, and in the Garden, as well as others, these three were present. We are not told, but there must have been some kind of special connection with them and Jesus.
So why was James allowed to be killed but John was left alone while Peter was delivered from jail? And to add insult to injury, there is only one line telling us about the death of James. All of this was in the plan of God for the early church and it served a purpose. But what about his parents, John his brother, his other family, and his friends? Why did they have to go through this tragedy?
The persecution energized the early Christians, giving them added determination to spread the gospel. It scattered them from Jerusalem and sent them all over the known world, along with the gospel. The persecution showed them the power of God in their lives, gave them reason to be thankful for his care, and strengthened their faith in Jesus as the Son of God. These same people could have let it destroy them and their faith, but they chose to let it make them stronger.
O Lord, help me use every adversity in my life to make me stronger, trust you more, and be determined to live for you and to share the gospel with others. Give me a pure heart and a steadfast spirit so that I will love you with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind. Forgive me when I fail because I know I do. Use me to help others be faithful and to encourage those who are struggling. Give healing to those who are fighting cancer. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
