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[expand title=”Devotion Text”]John 16:21-22
A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
During the births of our four children I had two jobs: Keep a cool cloth on Lori’s forehead and keep spooning crushed ice into her mouth. I started out as the “Breathing Coach,” but my “hee, hee, hee’s” were not well received for some reason and I got fired early in the first labor. I liked the title “Breathing Coach” much better than “Cool Cloth Boy” and “Ice Boy.” But such is life. Labor was exhausting and keeping the cool cloths and ice coming was not easy work. And I’m sure it wasn’t easy for Lori either. But when each child was born and the doctor said, “It’s a girl!” “It’s a boy!” “It’s a girl!” “It’s a girl!” our hearts melted in pure joy at God’s blessing and miracle.
Jesus knew that His disciples were getting ready to go through a tough stretch. He likened their emotions to the experience of a woman giving birth. His time on earth was drawing to a close. The disciples would see Jesus go through excruciating pain (in fact, the word “excruciate” means “out of the cross”). It would seem that God had taken away the power of the One who ruled over nature, sickness, and death. But then…on the third day…Jesus rose from the dead. New life! Great joy replaced great anguish. Jesus was exactly who He said He was! All of His words were true!
You may be experiencing a difficult time; a time of pain and grief. This same promise Jesus gave to His disciples He repeats to you. Hang on! Don’t give up! Trust Him! Cling to Him! Jesus replaces anguish with great joy!
Father, thank You for Your promise. Help me to hold on in the anguish and release me to experience Your great joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Having trouble holding on? Let us pray for you. E-mail us at prayer@ronmoore.org.
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