DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 1; Micah 3 to 4:8; Romans 9:30 to 10:21
The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. Job 1:21b
When the Lord separates me from ones dear to my heart and identity, let me also trust, quickly accepting His will and anticipating multiplied blessings and fulfillment. —M. MacMullen
Strange gift indeed! A thorn to prick,
To pierce into the very quick;
To cause perpetual sense of pain.
Strange gift! And yet ’twas given for gain.
Unwelcome, yet it came to stay;
Not could it e’en be prayed away.
It came to fill its God-planned place—
A life-enriching means of grace. —J. Danson Smith