Daily Devotions
You know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3
The Olympic Torch Relay in 1984 not only provided challenging goals but also developed determination in organizers and runners alike. On Atlanta’s Peachtree Street, with crowds four and five deep, a disabled child takes the torch, almost falls off balance, and then moves slowly toward his goal, concentrating on holding the torch aloft. Stumbling several times as the crowd gasps, he reaches his goal to their thunderous cheers. Such determination hardly left a dry eye in the crowd.
We who carry the torch of Christ’s love also find our faith tested. James writes, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” At the race’s start serving Christ seems glorious and exciting, but as the road lengthens and our energy wanes, we struggle and feel like quitting. Then God helps us develop determination. He reminds us of the agony and bloody sweat of His only Son on the final march to Calvary. He supplies us with the encouragement of brothers and sisters in the faith. And we learn to focus on Him and move on toward the finish line.
That determination, developed within us by His grace, serves to strengthen the crowds who watch and equips us to meet greater challenges that lie ahead. We live triumphantly on God’s staying power, for His Word endures forever in us, and through us to others. Thank God for the determination of His Son.
PRAYER: O Lord, help me to carry the torch of Christ’s love with strength and determination. Amen.
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)