Today's Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotion "Taming Fear" for Monday, 27 April 2015 - Scripture: Genesis 50:15 Realizing that their father was dead, Yosef’s brothers said, “Yosef may hate us now and pay us back in full for all the suffering we caused him.” 16 So they sent a message to Yosef which said, “Your father gave this order before he died: 17 ‘Say to Yosef, “I beg you now, please forgive your brothers’ crime and wickedness in doing you harm.”’ So now, we beg of you, forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Yosef wept when they spoke to him; 18 and his brothers too came, prostrated themselves before him and said, “Here, we are your slaves.” 19 But Yosef said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20 You meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good — so that it would come about as it is today, with many people’s lives being saved. (vii) 21 So don’t be afraid — I will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he comforted them, speaking kindly to them.
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.[Romans 8:28 (NIV)]
At the age of 60, and after 21 months of incarceration, I am preparing to leave federal prison. This causes me to think of the despair and fear I felt when I entered prison. I was angry and bitter. My wife divorced me. I lost everything I had. But God was revealed to me, and I began to learn what Job and Joseph learned: In times of tragedy, God does not leave us. In fact, God is never closer.
The stories of biblical heroes affirm the truth that when we are faced with opposition, faith restores us. God uses our trials to develop our character and faith. We naturally seek God most desperately when we are walking through life’s valleys. I have learned that God is never closer than when I am in the valley. Fear has strengthened my faith. God awaited my earnest and sincere cry for help. God has used my incarceration to grow my faith and character beyond anything I thought possible. God stands ready to give us comfort and strength.
The Author: W. Edward Clymer (Oklahoma, USA)
Thought for the Day: Our fears can bring us nearer to God.
Prayer: Dear God, sometimes we forget your promise to be with us and to sustain us. Forgive us, and help us to grow in faith. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those Being Released From Prison
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.[Romans 8:28 (NIV)]
At the age of 60, and after 21 months of incarceration, I am preparing to leave federal prison. This causes me to think of the despair and fear I felt when I entered prison. I was angry and bitter. My wife divorced me. I lost everything I had. But God was revealed to me, and I began to learn what Job and Joseph learned: In times of tragedy, God does not leave us. In fact, God is never closer.
The stories of biblical heroes affirm the truth that when we are faced with opposition, faith restores us. God uses our trials to develop our character and faith. We naturally seek God most desperately when we are walking through life’s valleys. I have learned that God is never closer than when I am in the valley. Fear has strengthened my faith. God awaited my earnest and sincere cry for help. God has used my incarceration to grow my faith and character beyond anything I thought possible. God stands ready to give us comfort and strength.
The Author: W. Edward Clymer (Oklahoma, USA)
Thought for the Day: Our fears can bring us nearer to God.
Prayer: Dear God, sometimes we forget your promise to be with us and to sustain us. Forgive us, and help us to grow in faith. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those Being Released From Prison
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