Devotional for Wednesday Sep 17, 2008
http://www.harvest.org/devotional/ Greg Laurie
Senior Pastor
Harvest Christian Fellowship
Riverside, Ca
“But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then.”—Matthew 19:30
A missionary couple who had served for many years in Africa were
returning to the United States. Leaving Africa with broken health and
no pension, they felt defeated, discouraged, and afraid.
As it turned out, President Teddy Roosevelt was traveling on the same
ship. Of course, it caused a great commotion as everyone tried to catch
a glimpse of the president, who was returning from a hunting
expedition.
The missionary commented to his wife, “Something is wrong. Why should
we, who have given our lives in service to the Lord all these years in
Africa, come back and not receive any fanfare or attention? And this
man, who has done nothing more than just go on a hunting trip, is the
center of attention. It just doesn’t seem right.”
When the ship arrived, a brass band played and the mayor welcomed the
president. The missionary was so discouraged. “It isn’t fair,” he told
his wife. “Why have we not received any attention or adulation for what
we have done? God is not treating us fairly.”
She said, “Honey, why don’t you just go tell that to the Lord?” A
little bit later, he was smiling. His wife said, “You look different.
What happened?”
He said, “Well, I told the Lord how bitter I was that the president
received this tremendous homecoming, while no one greeted us when we
returned home. Then it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my
shoulder and said, ‘Son, you are not home yet.’ “
God sees those things you do for Him, and He will bless you. But remember, we are not home yet.
Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.
All rights reserved.
http://www.harvest.org/devotional/ Greg Laurie
Senior Pastor
Harvest Christian Fellowship
Riverside, Ca
“But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then.”—Matthew 19:30
A missionary couple who had served for many years in Africa were
returning to the United States. Leaving Africa with broken health and
no pension, they felt defeated, discouraged, and afraid.
As it turned out, President Teddy Roosevelt was traveling on the same
ship. Of course, it caused a great commotion as everyone tried to catch
a glimpse of the president, who was returning from a hunting
expedition.
The missionary commented to his wife, “Something is wrong. Why should
we, who have given our lives in service to the Lord all these years in
Africa, come back and not receive any fanfare or attention? And this
man, who has done nothing more than just go on a hunting trip, is the
center of attention. It just doesn’t seem right.”
When the ship arrived, a brass band played and the mayor welcomed the
president. The missionary was so discouraged. “It isn’t fair,” he told
his wife. “Why have we not received any attention or adulation for what
we have done? God is not treating us fairly.”
She said, “Honey, why don’t you just go tell that to the Lord?” A
little bit later, he was smiling. His wife said, “You look different.
What happened?”
He said, “Well, I told the Lord how bitter I was that the president
received this tremendous homecoming, while no one greeted us when we
returned home. Then it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my
shoulder and said, ‘Son, you are not home yet.’ “
God sees those things you do for Him, and He will bless you. But remember, we are not home yet.
Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.
All rights reserved.