As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:13

NOTE: THIS DEVOTION HAS SOME TOUGH NAMES. IF YOU'D LIKE TO HEAR ME TRY TO STUMBLE THROUGH THEM, CLICK ON THE AUDIO LINK ABOVE.

Fanta Lingani is a mother - - a mother who lives in the African country of Burkina Faso. Last week the Washington Post told her story.

It told of how Fanta had risen at 4 a.m., then walked two hours so she might earn $1.20 sweeping sidewalks. With that money she bought food and spent another two hours cooking a meal of corn mush, seasoned with tree leaves, dried fish, and wood ashes.

The article told how Fanta Lingani first gave her husband a bowl of the food and then she made a distribution to her older children. Lastly, Fanta took a bowl of the bland stew for herself.

She ate two mouthfuls of the mush and then she gave the rest to her children who were still hungry. She probably said she was full. She wasn't.

With food prices having doubled and the family's income staying the same, those two mouthfuls would be Fanta's only meal until the next day.

Fanta Lingani is a mother. She's a mother who does what needs to be done for her children's benefit, welfare, and livelihood.

The prophet Isaiah once described God as providing comfort like a mother. The text for today's devotion says, "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you."

Like a mother, the Lord saw our sin and realized what it would do to us.

Like Fanta Lingani, God did what was necessary so we, His children, might live.

So we might live is why Jesus was born in Bethlehem. So we might live is the cause to which He dedicated His life. So we might live is why Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested, beaten, tried, and crucified. To assure us we will live forever is why He rose from the dead and showed Himself to a lost and starving world.

Because of Jesus' love, all who believe on Him as Savior and Redeemer are saved.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, for having done all that was necessary for my salvation, my undying appreciation. For doing what I could not, for making the gracious sacrifice of Your Son, I owe You everything, including this day, which I live to Your glory. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 7-9    1 Corinthians 7:20-40

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