The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "BEGIN WITH TRUTH" for Monday, 12 September 2016 with Scripture: Lamentations 3:25-33

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "BEGIN WITH TRUTH" for Monday, 12 September 2016 with Scripture: Lamentations 3:25 Adonai is good to those waiting for him,
to those who are seeking him out.
26 It is good to wait patiently
for the saving help of Adonai.
27 It is good for a man
to bear the yoke from his youth.
28 Let him sit alone in silence
when he has laid it on him.
29 Let him submit absolutely;
there may yet be hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to the one who strikes it,
and receive his fill of insults.
31 For rejection by Adonai
does not last forever.
32 He may cause grief, but he will take pity,
in keeping with the greatness of his grace.
33 For he does not arbitrarily torment
or punish human beings.
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Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.[Philippians 4:8 (NRSV)]
Although I am generally an optimist, I know things don’t always turn out well. Financial fears sometimes come true. Biopsy results sometimes show cancer. People disappoint us. Problems arise.
I was often confused by Paul’s instruction in the verse quoted above. He asks us to dwell upon all those positive qualities. The truth of Paul’s words became clear to me shortly after a church meeting in which a number of church problems were discussed. I don’t want to go to church — not even church meetings — to hear about problems. Church is a place I go to be reminded of God’s love and to be encouraged.
But the morning after that meeting, I happened across this passage from Philippians. And for the first time I noticed that Paul starts his list with whatsoever things are true. He doesn’t gloss over life’s realities; he begins with them. If things are truly bad, we need to deal with them. Best of all, the same God who blesses us is right here to help us right the wrongs, solve the problems, and weather the storms this life invariably brings.
The Author: Bruce Bedingfield (Illinois, USA)
Thought for the Day: Whatever life brings, God is here to help me through it.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to appreciate the blessings and deal with the realities that come to us today. Amen.
Prayer focus: CHURCHES EXPERIENCING CONFLICT
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