JAMES 5: 13

 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.

TO PONDER

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them continue to moan and complain or stay stoically withdrawn. Is anyone happy? Anyone? Anyone?

We get stuck in the moan stage too often and for too long without learning to pray for rescue in a timely way. When there is no prayer, we often miss the rescue when it comes, because we are stuck in moan mode. When we are stuck there, how can there be happiness? Those who pray expect help to come, anticipate rescue and so, recognize it when it comes. This leads to happiness and songs of praise, which in turn build us up in faith and the expectation of help in times of trouble. If we pray, He will hear. 

PRAYER:  God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.  Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!  Yahweh of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. [from Psalm 46]

Today's devotion written by David Schuppan, LifeWay Illawarra