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Devotional for April 15, 2020

Something Positive

"For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord." (Psalm 117:2 NIV)


There is still good news in the midst of all the bad news we seem to be constantly hearing. People are recovering from the coronavirus, even as others keep getting infected. In fact, at least a few of the people who have recovered are older, at least a couple even over a century old. Others, while being at home, have been able to try out new hobbies, or revive old ones long put aside; others have been able to try new recipes; others have been able to catch up on reading; and still others have taken the opportunity to be able to do deeper Spring cleaning than in the past. We have been able to find new and creative ways to keep in communication with each other. There has always been as much positive coming out of the negative in this situation - if we are able to acknowledge it.

What all this shows is that, even though the pandemic continues, and even though we may seem to continue to be in the midst of disaster, God is still good. He continues to bless us with many gifts. He provides for us in many ways, both materially and emotionally. He has provided us with people who care for us and are watching out for our needs. He has provided healing for many. He has provided us with the opportunity to have more enjoyment in life. Perhaps His greatest gift in the midst of this pandemic has been the gift of time. Time for us to be able to rest and recuperate a bit more, time for us to enjoy life, and, most of all, more time for us to spend with Him. 

The more time we spend with God, the more we realize how much positive there really is in the midst of all the negative in this situation. The more time we spend with God, the more we realize how many blessings and gifts He has given us, even in the past couple of months. The more time we spend with God, the more we realize how good He is toward us - how much He cares for us, and how much He shows His care for us in special ways. The greatest sign of His love and care is one which we just celebrated - the death and resurrection of His Son, who sealed and guaranteed our relationship with Him by His death and resurrection. Because Jesus has sealed our relationship with God, we know that He is always providing good things for us. This is why it is important for us to recognize how much God continues to be good to us and blesses us, even in the midst of this pandemic - and be thankful to Him for how much He has really blessed us with. The more we recognize God's goodness and are thankful, the more we we can really appreciate the positive in the midst of the negative. With God, there is positive blessing.

Dear God, thank you for all your blessings and good gifts, which you give me every day. Help me to recognize your gifts and always be grateful. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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