One thing is needful

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Devotions: Ps 49, 119:49-72; Jb 29:1; 30:1-2, 16-31; Acts 14:19-28; Jn 11:1-16

Let all earth's people listen: I will not worry when I am opposed by the rich and powerful in this world; no earthly wealth matters before God. Only He can ransom me, and He has done it! No reason for jealousy, envy or fear among mortals—we all face the same judgment, and have the same Redeemer. Earthly wealth is ephemeral; God's favor is eternal. Lord, Your word is my comfort and my guide; I will cleave to Your law. You Are my song and my savior, my portion, my chosen lot. I am friend to all who fear You, Lord, and who keep Your precepts. Teach me good judgment and true knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. You made me, so comfort me with Your steadfast love; Your law is my delight, of immeasurably greater value than gold or silver. May my heart become blameless in Your statutes, that I may not be put to shame. 

Job said, I was respected, but now even younger men make sport of me; and I am vulnerable, weak, exhausted, in great pain in body and anguish of soul. I cry out to God, but God is silent. I sought to help those in trouble, but now that I am afflicted, no one succors me. My heart is in turmoil; my companions are jackals and ostriches. My joy is turned to despair and weeping. 

In Lystra, Paul and Barnabas had to dissuade the people from deifying them after Jesus used them to heal a man crippled from birth. But soon, Jews came from Pisidian Antioch and Iconium and slandered them. The people rose up and stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking that he was dead. But he revived and re-entered the city. The next day, he and Barnabas journeyed on to Derbe. After a successful time evangelizing there, they returned through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening and exhorting the disciples to continue in faith despite tribulation—for thus we enter God's kingdom. They appointed elders in each local assembly, with prayer and fasting, committing them to the Lord in Whom they all believed. Next, Paul and Barnabas journeyed on land through Pisidia to Pamphylia, Perga, and Attalia, and then sailed to Antioch. There, they gathered the church and reported all that God had done through them as He opened faith to the Gentiles. And the apostles rested some time with the saints in Antioch. 

Lazarus of Bethany, brother of Martha and Mary and friend of Jesus, fell mortally sick. News of this was sent by the sisters to Jesus. He remarked, 'This illness is for God's glory, to glorify the Son of man by this means.' He remained two more days, then announced to His disciples that they would return to Judea.  His followers objected, for the Jews in Judea meant to kill Jesus. But Jesus overcame their objections: 'There are twelve hours of daylight, right? Those who walk in daylight don't stumble, because they can see clearly; but those who travel in the dark stumble because they have no light.' Then He told the people with Him, 'Lazarus has fallen asleep, and I will go and awaken him.' The hearers misunderstood, saying 'Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.' So Jesus spoke more plainly: 'Lazarus has died; and for your sake, I Am glad I was not there, for this will strengthen your faith. Now let us go to him.' Thomas Didymus thought Jesus meant that He was returning to die alongside Lazarus, so he said to his fellow disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with Him.'