Daily Devotionals: (May 10th): Prayer for a Proper View of Suffering

Reading: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings.” Philippians 3:10  

O blessed Saviour, this morning I bring again my troubles to You—what are my troubles to Yours! What are my bitterest tears and aching heart in comparison with what You so freely endured for me! May the remembrance of this Your fellowship in my suffering, and my fellowship in Yours, help me to patiently endure whatever You see fit to lay upon me.

Give me grace ever to see that sin is my bitterest trial and grace to feel that my wandering treacherous heart is my heaviest cross. When I think of that blessed time when God shall terminate the tears of a weeping world, may this be my loftiest ground of rejoicing—there will be then no sin to cause them.

Humbly I would lie at my Saviour’s feet, disowning all trust except in Him—exulting in His finished work, and meritorious righteousness, and all-prevalent intercession. I rejoice to think of the redeemed multitude before His throne, “whom no man can number,” and to feel that His ability and willingness “to save unto the uttermost” are still the same.

Command, O Lord, Your richest blessing this day on all whom I love. May all my relatives be related to You in the common bonds of the gospel. Though separated by distance from each other may we enjoy the consolation that we are all treading the same invisible road heavenward—that earth’s dearest and tenderest ties will, in the end be strengthened and perpetuated in the full vision and fruition of You our God. This I ask in the name of my blessed Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Adapted from the Rev. John McDuff, D.D., The Morning Watches, 1852.

John Ross Macduff was born at Bonhard, near Perth, on May 23, 1818. After studying at the University of Edinburgh, he became parish minister of Kettins, Forfarshire,  in 1842. In 1849 he moved to St. Madoes, Perthshire, and in 1855 to Sandyford, Glasgow. He received the degree of D.D. from the University of Glasgow in 1862, and from the University of New York about the same time. He retired from pastoral work in 1871, moved to Chislehurst, Kent where he died in 1887.

Tags: suffering