ANGLICAN DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL FOR NOVEMBER 25, 2022 (PRODUCTIVITY IN ADVERSITY)
TOPIC : ”PRODUCTIVITY IN ADVERSITY”
Read: Philemon 1:8-16(NKJV)
1. Again the word of the LORD of hosts came, saying,
2. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; With great fervor I am zealous for her.’
3. “Thus says the LORD: ‘I will return to Zion, And dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, The Mountain of the LORD of hosts, The Holy Mountain.’
4. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Old men and old women shall again sit In the streets of Jerusalem, Each one with his staff in his hand Because of great age.
5. The streets of the city Shall be full of boys and girls Playing in its streets.’
6. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, Will it also be marvelous in My eyes?’ Says the LORD of hosts.
7. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east And from the land of the west;
8. I will bring them [back,] And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people And I will be their God, In truth and righteousness.’
9. ” Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Let your hands be strong, You who have been hearing in these days These words by the mouth of the prophets, Who [spoke] in the day the foundation was laid For the house of the LORD of hosts, That the temple might be built.
10. For before these days [There were] no wages for man nor any hire for beast; [There was] no peace from the enemy for whoever went out or came in; For I set all men, everyone, against his neighbor.
11. ‘But now I [will] not [treat] the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ says the LORD of hosts.
12. ‘For the seed [shall be] prosperous, The vine shall give its fruit, The ground shall give her increase, And the heavens shall give their dew — I will cause the remnant of this people To possess all these.
13. And it shall come to pass [That] just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, Let your hands be strong.’
MESSAGE
STUDY: As Christians, the Lord did not promise us a troubled-free life. We are told that adversities are part of life’s package.
Apostle Paul was one man who had a fair share of adversity, but his attitude was quite inspiring and exemplary.
In verse one, Paul introduced himself as a PRISONER, not of the Roman authority, but of Christ. He further implied in verse 8 that he was Christ’ Representative (Ambassador) to the prison community.
It was a positive and bright perspective for productivity. He did not despair, nor feel dejected, helpless or hopeless in his situation. He did not recline to self-pity. But he recognised that Christ was with him.
He took every opportunity he had to make the best for his Master. He saw the other prisoners and officials as his audience and continued his evangelistic mission which eventually paid off –”my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains” (v.10).
Let us remember that adversity can become an advantage for our advancement if faced with the right attitude.
PRAYER: Lord, in every circumstance of life, give me the right attitude for maximum benefit.
The Anglican Communion is the fourth-largest Christian denomination. Founded in 1867 in London, England, the communion currently has 85 million members within the Church of England and other national and regional churches in full communion.
