Daily Devotional - Day 42

Holy Week - Tuesday

Today’s Reading: (Matthew 24:3-6, 44)

News feeds flood television screens, iPhones, and other digital tools with stories about road rage, mass murders, and global wars. Is it any wonder that anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses are surging as our minds swim with overwhelmingly negative information?

Yet Jesus exhorts, “See that you are not troubled.” The word translated troubled also means “thrown into confusion.” Panic. Fear.

The world imploded around the disciples only a few days before Christ faced the Sanhedrin and Pilate. Some of Christ’s followers expected revolution, but their leader succumbed to arrest, and they cowered in an upper room.

Perhaps the men and women spoke Christ’s words as encouragement to one another. “Don’t you remember? He told us not to be troubled.”

Even in our uncertain times, we can look ahead with excitement to His return (Matthew 24:6-8).

Reflection Question for Today: 

How can you comfort or encourage others struggling with worry because of current events?

A Holy Tuesday Prayer: 

Jesus, you warned the disciples that as the age of grace draws to a close before your return, the world would be thrust into turmoil. But along with the warning, you offered encouragement, reminding them not to fear. Lord, we confess that the headlines of the day sometimes cause our knees to weaken. Empower us with the word of truth and enable us by the strength of your mighty hand to stand in difficult times. Amen