Quail Lake Community Church

Daily Devotional #1,568

We were watching an episode from the second season of “The Chosen” and there was a scene that really touched me. The disciples are all worn out from being with people and keeping order as folks stood in line to see Jesus and for many of them, to be healed. In the story, they had one of the disciples tell that he had a birth defect in one arm. Another disciple next to him said “Doesn’t it bother you that he is healing all these other people, but he hasn’t chosen to heal you?” I thought about that. Anyone who is a follower of Jesus has something that they hunger to have God take care of. It could be something physical, or relational or financial…and most often spiritual. And in those quiet times we ask ourselves “Why not meet this need Lord?” That is a tough question, but in the scriptures the Apostle Paul shares with us that he had a need…he called it a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan. He said that three different times he begged the Lord to take it away. This was something serious for this man who was responsible for not only much of the New Testament, but for establishing a number of the early churches. And Paul said that God told him “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” When we talk about having faith in God, trusting him with our lives, we need to realize that we are giving him control to use us in his kingdom in any way he chooses. There are a number of things that I wish that God would do or orchestrate for me. But God has other plans. And I can choose to trust him because I’ve gotten to know him through the Bible and through his touch in my life. But I have to choose to let God be God and trust that what he is doing is the best for me and the best for his good work on this planet. So, when those things that you hunger for and pray for don’t come to pass, remember that God has not forgotten you. As a matter of fact, it may be that it is right there in that situation that he will work the most powerfully in your life. No matter what it is that you don’t have…the power of Christ will be working in you and through you to change your world. Hold on to that…because that is hard core faith!

Here’s our Bible verse for today…

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 NLT So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. (8) Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. (9) Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Remember I’m praying for you!
PJ