Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:28

There is a familiar saying concerning messengers of ancient times; "Neither snow, nor rain, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

An even greater tribute must be given to the apostles whom Jesus appointed to go into all the world to deliver the Good News of salvation. One could draw up a list of things that did not deter them. Neither the great distances involved, nor the indifference of many hearers, nor the hatred of the enemies of Christ's cross could keep them from completing their mission.

Such a list is contained in Saint Paul's recital of the dangers to which he was exposed: five floggings, three beatings with rods, a stoning, three shipwrecks, dangers in cities and in the country. The list was not even complete when he wrote it, and he had many more hardships to endure, including a martyr's death in Rome. But despite every hindrance, the apostle delivered his message that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).

Through the centuries, neither snow, rain, nor gloom of night has kept Christ's messengers from proclaiming the Good News. They crossed "field and fountain, moor and mountain," using the available media of communication. At the time of the Reformation, Martin Luther's theses in defense of the Gospel spread over Germany in two weeks and in four weeks over all Christendom, thanks to the printing press. It seemed that the very angels themselves had been the messengers. As a matter of fact, the bearers of good tidings in all lands have been people, in most cases ordinary people.

Also in our day God speaks to our generation through His pastors and people. Through them He speaks the message of salvation in Jesus Christ, His Son.

PRAYER: O Lord Christ, may Your Word have free course in the world and be preached to the joy and edifying of Your holy people. Amen.

(Devotions from "With Jesus Every Day" copyright 1997, 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 information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 7-8, 26    Acts 28

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