Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for March 2-8 are provided by Doug Tritton.  Doug, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is currently pursuing a M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary while working fulltime.  Doug is married to Cindy and they serve at Symphony Church in Boston. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 23:11

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

“Take courage”—what great words! I feel like God says that a lot to me: “Do not worry, just trust.” But how easy it is to allow our minds to spin off into fear and anxiety, to imagine every possible terrible situation that could happen us, and to think that there is no way out of this or that present difficulty.

In today’s passage, Paul was in custody. He had just been on trial and had been led out of an angry mob, out from danger where he could have been torn to pieces by the mob. I can imagine how anxious he must have been! But God reminded him: “Take courage.” We have a God who is in control; and there is no situation out of His control. As tough as that is to believe at times, God wants us to remember that He is the One in control – always.

I do not know about you, but for me, Sundays can be an anxious day. The day starts with anxiousness about church and making sure I complete all my duties. And then after church my mind turns to the soon-to-come work week, and I worry about the work I probably need to have completed before Monday comes. Yet, there is no better day than Sunday to reflect on the sovereignty of God. He is in control, not me. Perhaps today, you can listen for the voice of God saying, “Take courage. Do not worry. Trust me. I will carry you through this week. You are mine.” Let’s begin this upcoming week reminding ourselves that we are God’s and He is in control!

Prayer

Lord, I give You control. Though I am worried about many things, help me to trust You. Your burden is light and your yoke is easy, so let me come to You and find rest for my anxious soul. Let Your peace lift me out of fear and worry so that I may rest in You this day.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 30