MU Devotion Wednesday 22 April 2020
Reading – Acts of the Apostles (5. 17-26)
Reflection
The theme in this week’s Families Worldwide is Courage and the daily prayers seem very appropriate at the moment. For example, the prayer for Tuesday 21st April:
As we meet with adversity, we praise God that he gives us the strength and peace of mind to move forward with courage. We give thanks that no situation is too difficult for him to see us through.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles (5. 17-26) set for today, we hear how the apostles were put in prison for proclaiming the Gospel and healing the sick. Then an angel of the Lord came in the night and opened the doors of the prison for them. The angel told them to – ‘Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life,’ which they did. The apostles had the courage to carry on with their teaching despite the opposition they encountered.
We may feel like we are being held in some sort of prison now. All be it a rather comfortable prison with our soft chairs, televisions, ample food, and telephones for communicating with the outside world. We also know that it is better to remain in our prisons for our own safety. That does not mean that we are abandoned. An angel of the Lord can come to each of us to lift us from the feeling of imprisonment.
An angel is, after all, a messenger from God and each phone call or mail message we make or receive gives us the opportunity for an encounter with an angel. We can all be angels, messengers of the Lord. Helping others to find the courage to see them through these isolated and lonely times. Bringing the light of the risen Lord into people’s home by showing them that we care. That we care because we have the love of Jesus within us. Such love gives us courage to rise above the difficult situation we find ourselves in. Bringing us strength and peace of mind because we trust that no situation is too difficult for Jesus to see us through.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1. 9
All my love and prayers,
Revd Sandra
