Wed., 8/12/15 Devotion (1 Sam. 2:1b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 2:1b, where we read these words:

" . . . I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation."

This little phrase (above), originally spoken by Hannah the mother of the pro-phet Samuel, inspires us today. When the Bible speaks of God, or His churchmen, "smiling" at their foes, what it means is that they are more or less saying, "Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah" to them (their enemies). And the *reason* the redeemed of the Lord may do this is because they have Christ's salvation in and on them.

The poor devil is really a miserable creature. He envies the freedom of the true children of God; and though he troubles us, everything Satan seeks to do against us (the church) only forwards our happiness (in the end). The same can be said for the flesh, and the world. In light of this, let us "smile at [our] enemies,” (and feel free to laugh at them—like God does—from time to time).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Take heed, that you do not lay the stress and weight of all your comfort upon duty . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]