Day 31: It is Well

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‘As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; ... Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ~Mark 13:9-13
(Click here to watch the Mark 13 performed by Max McLean--today's passage ends at 1:47)
"The cross means suffering with Christ…. it means  placing ourselves into daily struggle against sin and the devil." ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer (from The Cost of Discipleship)

Today's Scripture flat-out promises trials. struggles. persecution.
Jesus turns to his followers and warns them that following him will require sacrifice and suffering (not exactly a 'selling point' for faith, but struggle isa real--and faith stands in the midst of it).
In the late 1860's, Horatio and Anna Spafford had a healthy family, comfortable financial success, and several beautiful estates in Chicago, but their youngest son died suddenly of scarlet fever at the age of four. Soon after, the Great Chicago fire destroyed most of their possessions and investments.  Then, less than two years later, Horatio Spafford sent his wife and daughters ahead to Europe for a much-needed vacation. He planned to finish some business and meet them later, but the ship encountered a collision and all four of his daughters drowned. Only his wife survived. Now childless and waiting to meet his grieving wife—Spafford boarded a ship and wrote the words to one of Christianity's most beloved hymns: “It is Well”

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well, with my soul."


You see, the hymn is actually a proclamation of strength and faith even in the midst of suffering..





Prayer:
God,  the Gospel passage for today is difficult.
But so is life—and you know that. You experienced that.
We are so grateful for your presence and your strength in the midst of struggle.
Help us to stand for the good. Amen.

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