Lord's Day Devotion - Participation & Suffering

 

Participating and sharing in something, means there is some common bond that otherwise may not have brought people together.  The bond could be environmental,  workmates, mutual friend, or even having gotten caught in the same stuck elevator.

The common bond I refer to here though is that of the bond we have in Christ as followers of Jesus.  It is the relationship we have as a member of the body of Christ.   Each one has the Holy Spirit indwelling, causing us to begin to walk in the Spirit.  We can then say we each

 "participate in the Spirit" (see Philippians 2:1-2 ESV).

We have, therefore, relationship with each other so that when we pray collectively, we are participating and sharing in the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit can even nudge individual believers or groups of believers who are in different parts of the globe, to pray for a common purpose.

For example, a group of believers awakened in the night to gather for urgent pryaer, say in North America, for a lone missionary in far off, shall we say, the African interior regions.  It's an emergency ... a STAT intervention without knowledge even of the situation the missionary is, at that moment, undergoing.

But this "participation in the Spirit" could also be our own personal communion with our Heavenly Father, building our relationship with Him through Jesus and His Holy Spirit.  This is a great gift we have in Christ that should be unwrapped, used and treasured.

We have this because Jesus Christ abolished death through His death and resurrection.  He brought us life, and not only life, but immortality - the gift of salvation and everlasting life.  Jesus, the Light and Life of our life.

With the priveleges of our salvation and the communion we have in the Holy Spirit, there is also another type of sharing.  That is what Paul mentions to Timothy,

 "Share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus ..." (2 Timothy 1:8-10 ESV).

"Suffering for the gospel" is a major thing.  Paul knew what he was talking about because he suffered greatly.  James, the brother of John, was killed to "please the Jews".  John suffered the loss of his brother.  John himself suffered for the gospel of Jesus, as did all the apostles.

We suffer in varying degrees, some more severely even in our times.  We need to pray for each other, especially for those who suffer more severely.

We remember Jesus' suffering for us on the cross, His death and praise God, His resurrection!  Through it all He has cleansed and made us whole.

Let us actively participate and share in the Holy Spirit and even for ...

 " ... the testimony about our Lord" (2 Timothy 1:8).  

We need to be strong and courageous in Him.

For now, this Lord's Day, let us partake of the broken bread and drink of the cup of wine, remembering all Jesus went through for us, to give us what we so sorely needed:  life, everlasting life, and His Holy Sprit through whom we live , move and have our being.

Lord Jesus, thank You so much for all You have done for us, and given us through Your selfless act of redemption on our behalf.  Thank You too, for Your Holy Spirit in whom we have participation and communion with You.  We do not like to think about the suffering part but realize, even You suffered greatly.  Help us to endure and to have courage through Your Holy Spirit.

We ask in Your most precious name Lord Jesus.  Amen.

                                                   ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on 2 Timothy 1:8-10 ESV.

Sing, Holy Spirit Living Breath of God, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty, and Gathered to Thy Name Lord Jesus, along with Alan Parks.