-April 22, 2022-
Good morning, happy Friday,
“And if one members suffers, all the members suffer with it; and if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).
“Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).
There is a oneness between believers in Christ: Christ is our Head and we are members of His body. The early church loved and supported each other, especially in times of persecution and hardship. If someone had a need, the saints would help them. They sold property that they owned and brought the proceeds to the apostles to distribute it as the situation dictated.
Acts 4:34 says, “Nor was there anyone who who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” They cared and shared. There was even a time when the churches of the Gentiles sent monetary gifts to their brethren who were in need and suffering in Judea.
Today’s text shows how we should feel with each other in bad good times and good times. Both show how much we care. First, when one member suffers, all members suffer with him, all weep with him. This leads us to pray for those who are sick, in pain, out of work, hurting financially, or having problems. It is not enough to pray, though we all should pray; but we should also help as we are able. Though we may not have experienced the same exact experience, we may have gone through something similar. God allows trials in our lives so that we can empathize and sympathize with others. Empathy feels with someone, sympathy feels for them.
Second, we are to rejoice with those who are rejoice and are honored. This is sometimes harder to do than feeling with those who are suffering and weeping. Our sinful hearts find it hard to be happy for others who succeed or are blessed in some way. We may wonder, why did God bless them and not me? We should be just as happy if others are blessed as if it happened to us. Someone may get a new job or promotion, be able to retire, have a new baby, buy a new home, or get a new car. We must be on guard against envy and jealousy.
Let us then rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep; we can’t be fully happy if our brothers and sisters are hurting, nor should we begrudge anyone who is honored and blessed. May we be happy in the the answers to prayer and blessings of others just as much as if they were our own.
Have a blessed day feeling with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Stay safe and healthy.
In His eternal love,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 