Daily Devotions for Difficult Days [59] You can do All Things

Lockdown Poetry in London

Lockdown notes

Two weeks ago I was in London. Travelling down there two weeks later, after the gradual lifting of lockdown, I noticed some differences. On the motorway those "stay at home" signs have all but gone. The roads have more cars on them - not just the solitary trucks and vans of a fortnight past.

Driving into London itself "stay at home" has given way to "stay alert" and the city seems a little busier; I hear an ambulance here and a police siren there. The streets however are still strangely silent, museums are closed and most hotels are locked. 

Crime continues as normal: I witness the cops bust a guy for dealing in drugs - he throws packets of weed out the car window, only to be picked up forensically by plain-clothes police.

The street folk continue life as normal. One shivers as I approach,  another wipes a tear from her eye; both seem to be surrounded by more food gifts than normal.

And for the first time lockdown poetry:

A quiet prayer holds over London

The trees become our citizens and guardians

In the wind the trees hold their own silent riot

In our honour

 

I take photos of all these unusual things so that one day, when I tell of these strange days to my grandchildren, they can see it for themselves.

The School of Need

Today we consider not a promise of God, but a certainty of Paul's. And perhaps therefore a certainty we might all by God's heavenly grace make our own.

In Philippians 4:13 Paul writes, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

The setting is Paul's tactful "thank you" to his Philippian friends for their material support. Paul never lived by hints, he lived by faith and trust in God's bountiful provision. So when the Lord used someone or some church to meet his material needs, Paul was careful not to make the thank you note sound like a please! It's a lesson for all in full-time ministry.

There were times when Paul could not work with his own hands, prison being a fine example. In those situations someone or some church would need to help him out.

Paul tells us that over his life he's known times of great need as well as moments of plenty. That's a good experience for anyone to pass through because it generates kudos and empathy with the poor. How can we ever minister to the poor - of any kind -  if we've never known poverty? 

The Blessing of Contentment

Paul tells us that he's no longer all that concerned about the riches / poverty thing. He has gone past that stage because he's been taught a vital lesson in the Lord's School of Life, a lesson he calls the secret of contentment.

In verse 11 he says, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."

But in verse 12 he goes further and says: "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation." (verse 12)

Before we reveal the secret, shall we ponder the beautiful state of contentment for a while?

Happy with lots and also happy with little! Not coveouteous or anxious when poor and not ungrateful or selfish when rich. Happy with fame, and happy with insignificance. Happy when his tent business was doing well, and content when prison life put an end to paid employment.

Happy in lockdown, happy in normality. Happy in prison and happy when free to roam. Always content!

So often we are fretful and anxious when our circumstances turn south, but not Paul.

We sometimes meet contented believers like Paul and what precious and steady jewels they are.

 

The Secret Revealed

Tell us Paul, What is the secret of your always happy state? Here it is:

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength"

It's simple. Paul has a supply of supernatural power. The spirit of Christ works in his heart, mind and life, to give him ongoing and perpetual steady contentment whether pauper or prince. And he relies on this great power rather than his own tiny reserves.

Summing it all up

I write this blog from a posh private clinic in London. My son is giving stem cells to save the life of another. On the way to London he told me that he was prepared to go through anything to save the life of another. Bless! That comment led naturally to the loving motive of the Greatest Sacrifice of All time.

In the waiting room I find a booklet entitled "Coping with Fatigue." It quotes a cancer patient's experience, "I realised that the more I was doing nothing, the more tired and fatigued I was feeling. I'd end up feeling sorry for myself - it was a vicious circle."

If you're weak and you do nothing, you stay weak.  This patient  found that acting, doing, was the key, even when she felt too weak to act.

It's much the same with us.

In times of need, if Paul had done nothing about his anxious discontent, he too would have spiralled down into self-pity.

But he did something about his discontent. He asked the Lord for help and power. And over time he learnt that by calling on Christ's power he could do anything! Anything! With the power of Christ surging through him he could cope with lack and need of all kinds and all magnitudes!

It may not be material need you are struggling with, it may be loneliness or boredom, or some other lack. If you do nothing about your lack it is likely to continue. 

Let us ask the Lord for help and when we do we shall discover his mighty power working through us, helping us to be content in all circumstances.

A SONG FOR THE DAY

Our song for the day breathes a soul's God-given contentment, peace and rest.

Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace

Over all victorious, in its bright increase

Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day

Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest

Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand

Never foe can follow, never traitor stand

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care

Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there

Every joy or trial falleth from above

Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love

We may trust Him fully, all for us to do

They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

Francis Havergal

You can sing along HERE.

A PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Our gracious and loving Father in heaven,

We confess that sinful fretting and faithless discontentment is all too often our experience.

We confess that the peace of Christ does not always rule in our hearts.

Teach us that without Christ we can no nothing, but with Christ we can do all things.

May the Spirit of the risen Christ live in our hearts from day to day so that we too will experience the blessed secret of contentment.

We ask these things for your glory's sake, and for our good,

Amen