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Today's Devotional

Read 1 Kings 8:22-36.

In this portion of [Solomon’s] great prayer I discern the unalterable mode in which nations and individuals recover their moral health and strength.

How do they lose it? Two words tell the story. They “sin” and are “smitten.” It is an inevitable sequence. Every sin is the minister of disease. Sometimes we can see it, when the disease flaunts its flags in the flesh; lust and drunkenness have glaring placards, and we know what is going on within. But even when sin makes no visible mark the wasting process is at work. It is as true of falsehood as of drunkenness, of treachery as of lust. “Evil shall slay the wicked” [Psalm 34:21].

And how do we recover our lost estate? There are three words which tell the story. “Turn!” “Confess!” “Make supplication!” The words need no exposition. I must turn my face to my despised and neglected Lord; I must tell him all about my miserable revolt, and I must humbly crave for his restoring grace.

And the answer is sure. Such humble exercise sets the joy-bells ringing, and the rich forgiveness of the Lord fills the soul with peace. “O taste and see how gracious the Lord is.”

About the author and the source

John Henry Jowett (1864–1923) a famed pastor and author, served congregations in both England and the United States. He believed the gospel was the only hope for our times. Crime dropped remarkably when he pastored in Birmingham, England.