In the end

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio

Psalm 112:5 (NIV)
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.

I think it is hard to be generous if one is not thankful, and it is hard to be thankful if one does not trust that God is able to provide and keep His promises. There you have it my profound thought for today. I've just been chopping onions and my eyes are still burning. We too easily can get into a horders or a poverty mindset. Thinking that there is not enough or there won't be enough.
We may pray God give us this day our daily bread but often we live as if a famine is just around the corner. We foolishly think that God is not able to provide for His own.

This passage goes on to say: 

6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn will be lifted high in honor.

Are you reading this and saying "wait a minute, I've been shaken." Matthew Henry has this to say. "The satisfaction of saints, and their stability. It is the happiness of a good man that he shall not be moved for ever, Ps. 112:6. Satan and his instruments endeavour to move him, but his foundation is firm and he shall never be moved, at least not moved for ever; if he be shaken for a time, yet he settles again quickly." There are times and things that happen that do shake and unsettle us. If we stay close to the Lord - he does quickly help us to return to a place of being settled and unshaken in Him. I think sometime how we go through difficulties speaks louder to people of God, our help, then do our many words.  I like how verse 8 says "in the end they will look in triumph on their foes."

Who are your foes? I try to remember Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Foes that I see in peoples lives are things like depression, poverty, insecurity, fear, suicide, hopelessness, sickness, discouragement, anger, hatred, injustice.... in the end we will look in triumph on our foes.

I think at times we get so caught up in our own troubles that we forget to be generous to others around us. Lift up your head  - who can you help today. Put your problem into the capable hands of the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to help you see how you can be a blessing and an answer to the prayers of someone else. 

Well I'm out of time for today. 

Prayer: Help us be on the look out for ways we can be generous and show your kindness to others.