Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

What a bizarre premise to this 1890 fictional work of Oscar Wilde!  The Picture of Dorian Gray relates the story of Dorian who wishes that his painted image would age instead of himself.  That way he could follow his hedonistic world view and spend his life chasing pleasure.  With every selfish act his image got older and uglier but he himself remained ageless!  And as you can imagine, the story does not end well!

This story reminded me of today’s verse.  Outwardly and with enough time, we are all wasting away.  We do what we can to minimize the effects of age, but eventually we look more and more beat up!  Our bodies break down but that does not have to be true for the inside.  What is seen in the mirror is only temporary but the renewal that is taking place on the inside is eternal. (verse 18)

Life is so often filled with hardship and struggle.  Like Paul I may feel that I am “hard pressed on every side” (verse 8) but that does not mean I give in to despair.  I may feel crushed by the weight of my trials but I have hope.  I do not want to lose heart because God is using every negative in my life to create a lasting and eternal beauty on the inside.  Within I am becoming more mature as I respond to the Lord in faith and perseverance.  I can be confident that God is using it all to make me more like His Son.

Thank you Lord for this hope!  Keep me focused on what You are accomplishing on the inside.

Scripture for Today:  Matt. 18:21-22  “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

I have never thrown a boomerang so I would be the last choice to participate in the many competitions that exist.  When thrown in a certain way the boomerang is designed to return to the person who threw it.  It is made to spin on an axis perpendicular to the direction of its flight and so return to the point of origin.  Who has not seen the boomerang used in a cartoon, hitting the unsuspecting on the back of the head!

In today’s verse, Peter asks the Lord how many times he should forgive his brother.  I am sure that when Peter suggested seven times he felt he was being very generous.  But the Lord’s answer was surprising; seventy times seven.  It is not that we are to count at all.  The idea is that we forgive our brother every time he asks.  Like that boomerang, there are those in our lives who keep coming back for forgiveness.  Perhaps it is a family member.  Maybe it is someone in the church.  It could even be that they are asking forgiveness for the same exact offense every time!

How exasperating to have to forgive someone over and over again.  And yet, this is what the Lord does for me.  Like a boomerang, I keep coming back to Him for forgiveness and very often for the same failing.  I am so glad He does not count.  I am so thankful that He promises to forgive me every time I come to Him (I John1:9)

Lord, help me not to count but show that same forgiveness to others!

Scripture for Today: Matt.6:31 “So do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat? or ‘What shall we drink?’ or “What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

There is just one thing on the mind of the bear coming out of hibernation; food!  For six months he has been in a low energy mode, conserving strength with a decreased metabolism.  Now, he is ready to make up for lost time!  These North American black bears have used up all their stored fat and are ready to pack on the pounds and return to their normal metabolism.

Today’s verse tells us not to worry over our basic needs.  Our heavenly Father has promised to provide for His own.  I picture the ending of this pandemic a bit like coming out of hibernation.  With sheltering in place, many have no problem with their weight being low!  But we do come out blinking in the sunshine and ready to return to cafes and restaurants, tired of our own cooking.  Some are sick to death of their clothes and ready to shop for something new.  It is understandable.

This extended time at home with a slower pace has reminded me what is most important in my life.  The distractions of going out, being entertained, eating, drinking and shopping have been stripped away.  Life has boiled down to the essentials.  And for the believer the essential is to seek His Kingdom and righteousness (verse 33).  My relationship to the King takes precedent over everything else.  When I put my relationship with Him first, everything else shifts to its proper place.  I can enjoy those activities without letting them drain mental energy or my time.

Thank you Lord, for taking care of all my needs.