Daily Devotional

Surely you have already felt distressed about something in your life, saddened by a situation, or helpless in the face of a tragedy. From the simplest problems at work to the most difficult moments, in such situations it is good to have someone by your side to listen to you.

But I call to God,
and the Lord will save me.
In the evening, in the morning, and at noon
I cry out in distress,
and He hears my voice.
- Psalm 55:16–17

The psalmist has God in this place of listening. He trusts that the Lord hears him, that he is not alone in his difficulties, but that the Almighty God is present and able to act. This is because, more than a listener, God is a Savior, and He is able to rescue you from the worst places.

Trust in God, for He is there with you at all times. All day long and every day, the Lord is present and can be a refuge for your soul.

Cry out, for He hears you

• Pray to God and place before Him your greatest difficulties.
• Open your heart before the Lord, for He is a Savior and can help you.
• Do not leave it for the last minute; when you have a problem, pray!

Prayer:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For any Jew, it was madness to imagine that the most despicable and shameful kind of death, crucified on a cross, would be how the Messiah would grant salvation. Likewise, it was absurd for the Greeks, lovers of wisdom - "philosophers", to consider that something was more powerful than their knowledge.

For the Romans and many other Gentiles, nothing was more desirable than the power of wealth and possessions. So too today, many people cling to religiosity, intellectuality, or ambitions for more material goods, as their goal in life.

Many people continue to regard the message of the cross as foolishness, and so they choose to carry on clinging to human resources. But the cross is the power of God for believers! Make no mistake, no amount of human goodness, wisdom, or wealth can give you guarantees in this life or the next. There is only one way to have a meaningful life, which is through faith in Jesus Christ, in His redemptive work on the cross. Don't dismiss the power of the message of the cross!

Lay your riches at the feet of Jesus

• What is most valuable to you in this life?
• Reflect for a moment: to what causes have dedicated your strength, your time, and your life?
• Pray and give yourself completely to the Lord, without reservation.
• Don't waste time on the trivialities of life. Concentrate on what is most important.
• Leave your "crowns", personal merits, possessions and titles at the foot of the cross. Recognize that Jesus is your greatest wealth!
• Read the Bible every day. Through it you will get to know Jesus better and find your reason for being!

Pray:

Lord God, thank you for sending Jesus to give us life, through that terrible cross. Help me to have Christ as my priority and my greatest value in this life. I leave at your feet everything that wants to take your place in my heart. Forgive my attachment to the insignificant things of this life. Be my joy, sustenance and greatest wealth always. And teach me to love the message of the cross and share it wherever I am. In Jesus' name, amen!