Devotionals

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The Meaning Of Longsuffering

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

--Psalms 91:11 (NLT)

Navy Chaplain Harvey Coleman was asked to go more than 300 miles to the north in Iraq to hold Sunday services for an Army Division unit that had lost more than its share of service personnel in a recent operation. On the chaplain’s arrival he could see the tired, angry look in the faces of the officers and men.

Chaplain Coleman delivered an eloquent sermon on the subject of the importance of reconciliation, love and thanking God for everything that comes one’s way and praising God even when the situation is not to our liking.

At the conclusion of his service, Chaplain Coleman informed his military congregation that his collection would go to the orphaned children in their service area. He sent his well-battered cap around in lieu of a collection plate. His cap came back with a total of $9.12 out of a congregation nearly 200 men and women.

Chaplain Coleman knowing the situation in this area as well as the amount of the collection from his chaplain’s assistant, raised his hand towards heaven then prayed, “Lord God, I thank you for these gifts an for receiving back my battered and well-used cap!”

So what is the point of this short devotional? Everyone, even a person of God, go through disappointment, suffering sometimes when hard, extraordinary work is done with little to show for the effort. Rather than give up on God, curse and ask “why Lord”, rejoice, be glad and thankful for what God has chosen to give us no matter how small and seemingly insignificant.



Prayer: Lord, I thank You for everything You have elected to give me in unconditional love and
mercy.


Stephen A. Peterson
© 2012

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