March Devotionals—Patrick of Ireland: A Devotional History

Patrick of Ireland: A Devotional History

In the early part of March considerable attention is given to the memory of St. Patrick in the run-up to the celebrations on the 17^th March. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are now a worldwide phenomenon and growing every year. Irish mythology is brought to life in the streets of many cities as green-coloured leprechauns parade under green bunting and drink green beer. City fountains bubble up with green water, major rivers run green, and multitudes sport shamrocks and green face paint. It is just another opportunity for a shindig, an Irish pastime!

Most of what is commonly believed about Patrick is false. He never chased the snakes out of Ireland, never mentioned the Church in Rome in his writings, and was never officially canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. However, setting aside all the myth and mystery of Patrick—and there’s lots of it—and setting aside the celebrations that have no relation to this ancient saint, let’s get to the heart of Patrick’s story.

There are only two pieces of literature that historians are agreed on that accurately tell us about Patrick because they were written by him. One is his own Confession, a declaration of the work of God in his life: his conversion, his call to Ireland, and his ministry. The other is a letter he wrote to the soldiers of Coroticus, a British warrior, complaining of the capture of and brutality to Christians in Ireland.

The devotionals in the month of March will be taken from the Confession and the Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus and will also draw from other historical material to give context to the writings of Patrick. They will form a devotional history of the first missionary to Ireland and one of the first Christian voices to be raised against slavery.

Subscribe to these devotionals, learn the history of a man who truly was a saint, and learn how to read biographies devotionally for your spiritual good.

Daily Devotionals: (Feb. 23rd) Smile, Jesus Loves You

The New Testament Church: Learning from the first disciples of Christianity

Reading: “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:46-47

When bumper stickers were more in fashion a few years ago one of the most popular said, “Smile, Jesus loves you.”

But that slogan really misses the point of the gospel. It doesn’t address the great issue of sin or make clear that the real joy that Jesus gives is freedom from sin. It falls horribly short of the core truths of the gospel. True Christians—those who have been born again of the Spirit of God and who have therefore been brought into a saving union with Christ—and only true Christians have cause to be glad!

Real happiness is inseparably linked to salvation. That’s obvious from our text for today. The newly converted saints in Jerusalem continued daily in a spirit of gladness. They enjoyed being Christians. Despite the persecution of the church and the difficulties they faced, the early disciples knew that they had been delivered from their sins, from their guilt, from the wrath to come and that’s reason to smile!

The psalmist said, “Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.” Does your knowledge of the Lord make your heart smile? When you read His Word or hear it preached do you praise Him? As you face the trials and troubles of life do you grit your teeth, grin, and bear it? Or do you rest upon the Lord and rejoice in Him and trust Him in every circumstance? Can you smile because you know Jesus loves you?