By 1 Peter 5:6-11 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober- minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
O’ Lord, You desire for me and my family to humble ourselves under your mighty hand. We have felt the strength of your hand pressing upon our heart these past couple of days. It is a crushing power that is painful and hard, as your hand is so mighty. You desire for us to not wiggle and squirm out of where you have placed us, and so we rest and linger a while longer. We will bear the weight of your hand today because you tell us that at the proper time, you will exalt us. I do not know how it will be but I trust by faith that it will be, for your word tells me so.
I cast my anxieties upon you afresh this morning. I feel anxious that the darkness may come upon us again. I feel anxious that you may cause another pregnancy and then take from us yet another precious baby. I confess that my flesh does not want this pain again. I confess that it may be easier to be influenced by the sway of the world that tells me to prevent any further children from coming. I confess the truth that being pro-life means that I and my family are actually to be “for” children, all children. And I would not stay true to our resolve if we prevented you from causing life to grow once again. I confess that this is hard and that I sway. But I say “yes” by faith and cast my doubts and fears upon you because you care for me. You care for my family and especially my beloved wife who has offered her body to you as a living sacrifice.
You desire for us to be sober-minded and not given over to our emotions. We are to be watchful because we can not forget that we are in a battle over truth. You tell me that the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking to destroy and devour my family. I am to resist him and his lies. He is the father of lies, and being anxious is something that I am not suppose to do. I am to cling in faith to Jesus who is for me and not against me. I am to resist the lie that we are the only people in the world who are suffering. You word tells me that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by other Christians throughout the entire world. You have confirmed this as well by people who have communicated to us that they too are or have suffered the same weight of your heavy hand. We are not alone and that is true. I am to resist the lie that this suffering will not end. Your word tells me that after we have suffered a little while, you, who are the God of all grace, will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us once again. You have called us to eternal glory in Christ.
To you be the dominion! You dominate us by your power. You dominate us by your truth. You dominate us by suffering. You dominate us forever and ever for your glorious name sake. Be glorified though our suffering! Be blessed and honored through our pain. You care for us and for all of your beloved children who are feeling the weight of your mighty hand.
I love you and thank you for this opportunity to know you more. I believe that you have granted our son Justus an eternal glory in Christ! As our pastor prayed for us to know that you hinder not the little children from coming to you. Yes and Amen!
We rest another day in the love and joy of Christ! And in His mighty and glorious name we pray. Amen
Leading Family Devotions 