Today's daily devotion

Inside Work

We always thank God that when you heard the Word of God from us, you believed it. You did not receive it as from men, but you received it as the Word of God. That is what it is. It is at work in the lives of you who believe.—1 THESSALONIANS 2:13 NLV

Not known for patience—and definitely not accustomed to this new role of caregiver to his wife—Justin prayed for adequacy. Trying to balance her care with a demanding job and the needs and expectations of the kids was taking its toll. Weariness, irritability, anxiety, and rash responses were becoming the norm.

Then a friend gave Justin a CD to listen to on his commute. The smooth jazz music calmed his body, but the lyrics— creatively repeated scriptures—surprised him by developing a quiet assurance deep within. His morning and evening drives became times of strengthening. Impatience and worry lessened; peace and gentleness grew.

That’s the work of God’s living and active Word within a believer. Author Richard Foster relates it like this: “Divine Love has slipped into our inner spirit and taken over our habit patterns. In the unguarded moments there is a spontaneous flow from the inner sanctuary of our lives of ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control’ (Galatians 5:22–23).”