2 Corinthians 4:8 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair."

Often the little irritations of daily living get us down. The hum-drum, ho-hum routine of life gets to us. There are the little irritations of daily life due to leaky faucets, bumper-to-bumper traffic and dented fenders, and long lines at the supermarket or at the bank.

There are big problems also: illness, loss of a job, and the death of a loved one. But we have hope. God's golden Gospel can give our life a lift. God's love lifts us up when we are down and out. We are pressed, but not crushed. Listen to what Saint Paul says in the above text: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

We have a God who loves us in Christ Jesus. Jesus, crushed and broken on the cross, spilled His blood to earn for us the gift of forgiveness and the assurance of eternal salvation. The Gospel is power packed. By God's power we are kept safe and are strengthened for every encounter.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, give us the courage and the comfort to face the irritations of daily life. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: Exodus 34-35    Mark 3:20-35

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