(This picture is from a production of “The Music Man” at Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinois in 2014.)
Thank You, Father, for yesterday’s blessings. It was so nice being with Karen all day – talking, laughing, eating, and looking. I am so grateful that Your hand has been upon us. You have answered our prayers and the prayers of others – our love for each other is stronger than ever. May it ever be so. Praise Your holy name! (And we are truly blessed that He continues to do so!)
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of my favorite musicals from of “old” is The Music Man. In it, the main character and con man Harold Hill proclaims, “Trouble, oh we got trouble… with a capital “T,” and I can surely say it’s most definitely not limited to River City.
Lord, we all struggle with trouble. Through the years, many have tried to blame sin or lack of faith for the trouble we experience. Now, we can get ourselves into trouble with sin or a lack of faith, but many times, as my Life Application Study Bible (New Living Translation) states (and I’m going to go ahead and insert the passages of Scripture here, as well), You use our trials and tribulations to “build character…
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4
…perseverance…
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5
…and sensitivity toward others who also face trouble
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Lord, we can’t avoid trouble, so help us not to fume and stress but to trust You to get us through them. When we come out on the other side, we will be more like You!
(July 18th, 2015, Sat, 7:29 am)
July 14th, 2024, Sun, 8:12 pm
