daily devo: "THIS IS GOD’S DAY"
Rev. Reuben K. Youngdahl, grandfather to Eric Youngdahl and Senior Pastor of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church from 1938-1968, was widely known and respected for his pastoral leadership and his uplifting messages of God's love. These messages were published into devotional books so that people might find hope in the promises found in Jesus Christ.
One of his many books was titled, "Going God’s Way.” Pastor Youngdahl issues the challenge for people to go ahead and live today in the faithfulness of God. In his words: “Live each day by itself. Begin and end each one in communion with God. Life’s meaning will be made clear, and its challenge will summon you to follow the way of the Lord, and claim the triumphant life He is able to give you.”
October 4
Look at Your Blessings
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” -Psalm 55.22
So often we complain and wish for the many things that we do not possess. We rob ourselves of the joy which could be ours if we would only be grateful for the things we have. Perhaps we are more fortunate than we sometimes think. We would be wise very frequently to appraise our blessings. For if we did, we would be much more grateful for what we have.
A man had decided to sell his farm. He went to town and selected a real estate firm to list it for him. They came out and looked over his property and wrote a description of it for advertising purposes. As the farmer looked over the description his eyes got bigger and bigger as he kept reading. Finally, as he came to the end, he turned to the real estate agent and said, “I have decided not to sell this farm; this is exactly the kind of a place I have always been looking for. I didn’t realize I had it.
When you are tempted to complain that your troubles are greater than anyone else’s and your burdens are heavier than those of your fellow men, think of the legend about how God invited all of His complaining children to come and each place his greatest trouble or worry or burden in a big pile. Then God allowed all His children to look upon this great mountain of trouble. He invited each one to choose from among the burdens the one he would prefer. The legend says that each one took the same burden which he had himself laid there.
Sometimes it is good for us to compare our state with that of our fellow men, especially with those who have greater burdens to bear than we. About us each day are heroic souls who are carrying heavy crosses. Yet they are not complaining; rather, are they singing praises to God who keeps giving them the strength to endure. There are people who are suffering from great physical ailments; yet they are living radiantly, testifying to the sufficiency of the grace of God. It can be so for you also!
TABLE TALK: Stop to consider how many real burdens you have, and then think of your neighbor and realize how fortunate you really are.
