Daily Devotionals
Devotional: August 14th
"In the day of adversity, consider." Ecclesiastes 7:14
CIRCUMSTANCES sometimes regulate duties. The Lord’s people have to pass through many changes; they are strangers and pilgrims here. Sometimes prosperity calls for rejoicing, and sometimes adversity calls for consideration. If prayer appears to be shut out, our petitions seem to be denied, and we cannot enjoy the life and power of religion; it is the day of adversity. If providence frowns, and the heart contracts and becomes hard, it is a day of adversity; now we should consider, Is there not a cause? What is it? Has sin been indulged? or mercy slighted? or duty neglected? or self deified? What is the intention? Is it to correct, reprove, and restore us? How should we now act? Let us take shame to ourselves, justify our God, confess sin, lament over our folly, crave pardon, and plead for restoration. It is our comfort to know that the Lord calls us to return, declares He is ready to forgive, promises a gracious reception, and assures us He will heal our backslidings and love us freely. Let us, believing, look for His blessing.
Of my extreme distresses
The author is the Lord;
Whate’er His wisdom pleases,
His name be still adored.
If still He prove my patience
And to the utmost prove,
Yet all His dispensations
Are faithfulness and love.
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