2020 Daily Devotion - Day 73

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There is an old story about a pastor leaving a church. At his farewell dinner, he tried to encourage one of the pillar members by saying, “Don’t be so sad. The next pastor might be better than me.” She replied, “That’s what they said last time, but it keeps getting worse.” (Source: John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, p.159).

Well that must have been difficult for the young pastor to hear. It is always difficult to hear a word of criticism, but sometimes it is the word of truth given to us we really do need to hear.

In my work with people, I’ve found it’s most difficult for the ones who do not have a teachable spirit. They always have to learn life the hard way. Often, they keep making the same mistakes over and over again, and refuse to hear the truth, even when spoken to them in love. Here is what the psalmist has to say about truth.

Psalm 145:18 ESV
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

When we go to the Lord, being honest about who we really are, He can do something good with our lives. This period of the Coronavirus has been a season where we are confronted with the fact that we do have limits, and need someone greater than ourselves to be in charge. When we can go to God with an honest heart, He can do some amazing new things in us.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, too many times we have thought we had it all together; that we didn’t need others; not even You. However, this pandemic is teaching us we are not superhuman and we desperately need You and Your strength in our lives. Help us to have a teachable spirit so we may grow and learn. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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