Daily Devotional for Thursday, May 23

Reassurance of God’s Love and Patience

“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ,” 2 Thessalonians 3:5.

James Cash Penney (who started J. C. Penney stores) made some unwise commitments and became very depressed. He worried so much that he developed shingles. He went to see his doctor who admitted him to the hospital, but his condition became worse. One night he was prescribed a sedative that quickly wore off, and he awoke believing that he would die that night. He wrote letters to his family and fell asleep.

He woke up the next morning and was surprised that he was still alive. He heard people singing “God Will Take Care of You” in the chapel and went in. He listened to the singing and message with a heavy heart, but then something happened. He later said, “I realized then that I alone was responsible for my troubles. I knew that God with His love was there to help me.” He said that from that day forward his life was free of worry, and it was all because he realized that God would take care of him.

There is something powerful that happens when we are reminded of God’s love and patience toward us. James Penney had been greatly discouraged by his failures to the point of giving up. Yet, one song of encouragement gave him the strength to lift his head and continue. Paul reminds us that God is loving and patient toward us even in our failures. May this reminder encourage you today that your failures are not greater than God’s love and patience toward you.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY
May God’s love and patience toward you give you the strength to live joyfully for Him.

Steven Ridings