Weekly Devotion
"Prosperity"
Hi Faith Family!
I pray you are happy and healthy today . . .
. . . and that you are doing well. I mean to wish you prosperity. I've been translating quite a bit recently, and it is a common Vietnamese custom to wish people prosperity.
When I think prosperity, I need look no further than my back patio. We have a Redbud tree back there that was really just a bush with aspirations when we first moved in. We even have a video of our todler Sylvia playing by it when we first moved into our home.
As the todler has grown to a near-teen, that Redbud has had a rather prosperous reach to the clouds. Here's what it looked like in bloom just a few weeks ago:
Prosperous, isn't it?
It's a prayer for God's people as well. Not height, per se, mind you. Rather, blessing. The very same Psalm that begins, "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord'" concludes with a thought-provoking prayer:
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure, May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.' For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, 'Peace be within you.' For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity."
Isn't the selflessness in this prayer striking? Isn't it convicting? Perhaps the independence we enjoy too easily grows into selfishness. We are too easily distracted to look to our own prosperity rather than seeking God's kingdom first, trusting that our Loving Heavenly Father will add all the other things we need as well.
In this era when terrorists concerns are as common as stones on the ground, we think of peace in a differnt light. But are there not benefits that will flow in response to our prayers for peace for God's people in this country and throughout the world?
Treasuring the forgiveness your loving God has assured to your heart and mind, take a moment to pray for the Christian Church throughout the world. Please consider praying for those who are enduring hardship due to their faith. Pray for someone you care about, whose faith may be weak or troubled.
I pray for your peace to be renewed in the powerful forgiveness of your loving God. May peace be within you, now and always.
Blessings on your week!