Wednesday June 20, 2012

God’s whisper of comfort quiets the noise of our trials.

Read Ephesians 5:1-10

 

I have a friend who was working in his home office one evening, trying to get some necessary paperwork done.  His little girl, who was about 4 years old at the time, was playing around his desk, puttering about moving objects here and there, pulling out drawers, and making a good deal of noise.

 

My friend endured the distraction with a stoic patience until the child slammed a drawer on one of her fingers and screamed in pain.  Reacting in exasperation he shouted, “That’s it!” as he escorted her out of the room and shut the door.

 

Later her mother found her weeping in her bedroom and tried to comfort her.  “Does your finger still hurt?” she asked.  “No,” the little girl sniffled.  “Then why are you crying?” her mother asked.  “’Cause,” she whimpered, when I pinched my finger, Papa didn’t say. ‘Oh!”’

 

Sometimes that’s all we need, isn’t it?  Someone who will say “Oh!” We have One named Jesus who does that for us.

 

Jesus loves us, understands our sorrows, and gave Himself for us (Ephesians 5:2).  Now we are to “walk in love” and imitate Him.

 

 

Prayer:

¥ Ask God to pray for the missionaries that your church supports. Pray for each by name, that God would comfort them, be near them and uphold them through the tough times. Pray God’s blessing into each one’s work.

¥ Pray that our brothers and sisters in Iran and Iraq who are being persecuted because of their love for Jesus would draw near to God and find their strength and fortitude in Him alone. Pray that God would use them to grow the kingdom.