August 14

Morning

For You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your deeds; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands. — Ps 92:4 BSB

Do you believe that your sins are forgiven and that Christ has made full atonement for them? If so, what joy you should feel! How you should rise above the ordinary troubles of this world! If your sin is forgiven, what does it matter what happens now? Luther once said, "Smite, Lord, smite, for my sin is forgiven! Since You have pardoned me, strike as hard as You will!" In the same spirit, you can say, "Send me sickness, poverty, loss, crosses, or persecution—whatever You will. My sins are forgiven, and my soul is glad!"

Christian, if you have been saved, be joyful—and also be grateful. Hold tightly to the cross that took away your sin and serve the One who served you. As Paul urged, "I beseech you by the mercies of God, present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Don't let your zeal be just a passing song of praise. Show your love in real, tangible ways. Love the brothers and sisters of Him who loved you. If there is anyone in need, help them for Jesus' sake. If you see a fellow believer struggling, weep with them and carry their burden, just as Christ wept for you and bore your sins.

And as you rejoice in your own forgiveness, don’t keep it to yourself. Share the good news of pardoning mercy with others. Tell them the story of the cross and the joy of being forgiven. Bold, cheerful holiness is the most powerful sermon, and the Lord will give you that joy. Ask for it today before you go out into the world. When we rejoice in the Lord's work, there is no need to fear being too glad.

Evening

The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. — Exod 3:7 BSB

A child is comforted when they sing, "My father knows." Shouldn’t we, as God’s children, be equally comforted when we realize that our dear Savior knows everything about us?

1. He is the Physician. If He knows all, the patient doesn’t need to. Be still, restless heart! You don’t need to understand everything. What you don’t know now, you will understand later. Jesus, the Great Physician, knows your soul’s afflictions, so why should you worry about every detail? It’s not your job to analyze all the symptoms or try to figure out every aspect of your situation. That’s His job. Your task is to trust, while He prescribes what is best for you. If His plan seems strange or unreadable to you, don’t be anxious—trust His perfect wisdom.

2. He is the Master. His knowledge is enough for us; we are here to obey, not to judge. Jesus said, “The servant does not know what his Master is doing.” Should the architect explain every detail to the bricklayer? If the master builder knows the plan, isn’t that enough? The clay doesn’t know the potter’s design, but if the potter understands his craft, what does the ignorance of the clay matter? We must not question the Lord’s ways. He knows what He is doing, even if we do not.

3. He is the Head. All understanding comes from Him. What does the arm or foot know of the body’s direction? The head guides the body. Why should we, as members of Christ’s body, need a mind of our own when our Head fulfills every intellectual role for us? This is where we find comfort in times of trial: not in our own understanding but in knowing that Jesus knows all. Dear Lord, be our eye, our soul, and our guide, and let us be content with whatever You reveal!