Devotion 15 June 2026

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of God.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. --- you are worth more than many sparrows.  Matthew 10: 29-31

READING: Psalm 86: 1-7

This Psalm emphasises the power and necessity of calling on God in times of difficulties and times of success.  Every part of our daily lives should be shared with God, no matter what the situation.  In this Psalm, the Psalmist frequently declare his love and commitment to God, acknowledging His love and mercy for Him and for having heard his cries.  At the same time, he asks God for His help, guidance, and strength because he is in need.  He says, “Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.”  The example here is that we ought to pray frequently throughout the day.  I had a friend who spoke of Jesus being at the other end of a telephone line and she just needed to pick up the phone any time of the day or night and speak to Him.  In addition to our many arrow prayers or telegram prayers, we can commit definite times like in the morning and evening when we set aside time to pray.  Despite grief, loss, and difficulties we hold onto the assurance that God walks alongside us every step of the way.  God’s presence assures us that we are never alone, wherever life leads us.  In our reading above we read that we are more worthy than many sparrows because God cares for the life of each one of them and us.

Think about how good God is to you, even though you don’t deserve his love.  In the same way we need to be willing to do good and be kind and show love for others.  Jesus said, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another.  As I have loved you, so must you love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples.”  (John13: 34-35).  Therefore, let us ask God for a loving spirit that is kind and generous in all our interactions, warm in its appreciations, and may our actions be genuine and loving.  In 1 John 4: 7 we read, “Let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves, has been born of God and knows God.”

Prayer

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power --- to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge and that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  To Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus forever.  Amen  (Ephesians 3: 17b-19, 21)