Daily Devotion for January 20, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Mark 15:1-5.

If you have ever worked with children, you have probably heard statements like this at some point: “She’s telling lies about me; I never did what she said!” “That’s not fair; they’re making up stuff about me just to get me in trouble.” Okay, so if you’ve worked with adults, you may have heard similar statements.

Tomorrow we will look at a scene from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry when he was calm during a storm. Today, we are reminded of such a scene near the end of his ministry. I don’t know about you, but I am like Pilate. I am amazed that Jesus chooses not to defend himself here. He was being falsely accused, but he remained calm in the midst of this stormy scene and said nothing. I don’t know about you, but when I see or experience something that is unfair, that is when it is hardest for me to keep my mouth shut. That’s when I struggle most with being calm.  

And yet, there is a peace and calmness that God offers to us in the midst of the storms of life, even in those times when life isn’t fair. However, as we talked about it a couple of weeks ago, it’s important that we do our “storm prep” work ahead of time in order to receive these gifts. As you and I deepen our connection with the Spirit of peace, we will experience this peace, even during the storms.

Personal Worship Option:

If you don’t know the story of when and why Horatio Spafford wrote the words to this hymn, go look it up. In the midst of the storm he was experiencing, he obviously had a deep connection with God to be able to write these words:

When peace, like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll;

whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.