Tues., 5/28/13 Devotion (3 Jn. 2)

Today's encouragement comes from 3 John, v. 2, where we read these words:

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."

This is a sweet verse (above). It reminds Christian churchmen that God is concerned about *all* facets of our being, (and not just one or two of them). The soul is the most important part of any person--and it is to get first attention; but, after it is thriving, God would have our bod-ies and every other part of our lives prosper, too.

Does this mean that sick believers are under God's displeasure? No, not at all. We cannot know the Lord's providences for His individual people; but we can know this: that *we* ought to desire, and pray for health and wellness at every level: so that the church and the gospel spread and grow--in and through the saints--to all the world.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Have you forgotten the years of the right hand [viz. the extreme blessings] of the Most High?" --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]