Mon., 2/24/14 Devotion (Lk. 10:21a)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 10:21a, where we read these words:

"In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, 'I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth . . . ' "

Things can get pretty rough down here on the fallen earth. Is it not wonderful to know that God our Heavenly Father is Lord of heaven "and *earth*"? What-ever difficulties we are experiencing--no matter how real and hard they are--they are nonetheless under the watchful providential sovereignty of our Heav-enly Father.

Ours is not some "stale" deity. Instead, the Lord of heaven and earth loves us, His churchmen, more than we can imagine. He cares for us much more than we care for ourselves (or for our loved ones). Jesus "thanked" and prais-ed His Father. Let us do the same--even in difficult times.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The church is the fitting place for glory. We enter into heaven in the church here." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]