Hannah was having a bad day. In fact, she was having several bad years. She wept in her bitterness and misery (1 Sm 1:10-11). Even Hannah's prayer became a problem. Eli the priest misunderstood her condition and accused her of Praying "while Under the Influence" of alcohol (see 1 Sm 1:14). Everything seemed to be going wrong for Hannah, but the Lord changed her barrenness into fruitfulness, her weeping into rejoicing, and her mourning into dancing (Ps 30:6, 12). He will do the same for us.
A man in the synagogue was also having a bad day. His condition was such that he was possessed by "an unclean spirit that shrieked" (Mk 1:23). When Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, the man grew worse and began to have violent convulsions (Mk 1:26). After this, however, he was freed from the evil spirit. What started as one of the worst days in this man's life turned into the best day of his life. It's often darkest right before the dawn. When we can't hang on any longer, we won't have to hang on. The Lord will save us.
If you are having a bad day, or even bad years, you have Hope. His name is Jesus.
| PRAYER: | Father, thank You for Jesus, our Savior. Only because of Him do I have hope. |
| PROMISE: | "A completely new teaching in a spirit of authority! He gives orders to unclean spirits and they obey!" –Mk 1:27 |
| PRAISE: | When feeling broken by life, Linda sits quietly in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (see Lam 3:26). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College