Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
SATURDAY, October 24
Psalm 30. "You, LORD, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains." Then you hid your face, and I was filled with fear.
When I get on an elevator alone, I repeatedly push the "Door Close" button. I doubt that it does much to get me going any sooner, but I like that illusion of control.
That desire for control also comes into play when we believe that God visits disaster upon us to punish us for our sins. That stance, though frightening, allows us to cling to the thought that we have some control. If we believe that God favors us because of our good actions, then when God's face seems hidden from us, we can do something about it.
Such thinking pushes the grace of God and the work of Christ right out of the picture. If we believe God punishes our sins by sending earthly adversities, it's a short step to believing we can save ourselves through our own actions. But the truth is that I am saved by the grace of God, not by my own actions. I can't do anything to make that door open and close, no matter how many buttons I push, because it is always open--we are never closed off from God's grace.
PRAY for the Diocese of Tokyo (Japan)
Ps 32 * 42, 43; Ezra 4:7, 11-24; Philemon 1-25; Matthew 12:33-42
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Rather, we Choose to embrace the grace that is offered us. The point being we choose to be with God. Good and bad things happen to all people. Of course we need to take care of our daily responsibilities as best we can, but ultimately we give over our will to God to do his will. We give over our control to be part of something bigger than our selves. Anything that happens is through the Grace of God. Not because of our doings. Bad things happen, good things happen. Ultimately we can't control it. We can ask God to help us though it. We usually grow from the suffering not from the good.