Daily Devotional

No one became successful overnight; even those from wealthy families were not always successful. There were moments of sorrow, tears and sweat. It gets very dark just before dawn. If God allows suffering in your life, do not say: “God, why me?” Instead, say: “God, help me to discover the hidden blessings behind this suffering.” Don’t think about your problems too much; some are lessons. Remember, God “has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

How do you hope to find peace after cutting a person’s life short? No amount of pleasure, luxury or thrill can deaden your heart to the pangs of guilt, knowing that your present “success” is the result of someone’s blood. Even Herod, king of Israel, never found peace after beheading John the Baptist. Herod silenced John the Baptist physically, but he couldn’t stop his heart from hearing John the Baptist’s voice day and night.

By asking them to “take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics” (Luke 9:3), Jesus revealed to them the power of contentment. Truly, contentment (concretely expressed as the vow of poverty) is an all-important ministry instrument.