Tues., 2/24/15 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 gnarly down here on the earth. Is it not wonderful that we may know that God our Heavenly Father is Lord of heaven "and *earth*"? Whatever difficulties we are experiencing today—no matter how real and stressful they are—are all under the watchful providential sovereignty of our Heavenly Father.

Ours is not a "stale” or detached deity. Instead, the Lord of heaven and earth loves us, His churchmen, more than we can ever imagine. He cares for us much more than we care for ourselves (or for our loved ones). Jesus "thank-ed" and praised His Father. Let us do the same—even in trying 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"]