Daily Devotion

“I have no inclination to shirk the work to which Providence has directed me, but rather rejoice that such a high privilege could be mine. … I am confident that my desire to be a missionary is the result of no ephemeral emotion. I propose to do my life-work, to consecrate to it all my energies and to do my best. Difficulties do not appall me, for I rest assured that as my day is so my strength shall be.”

William Scott Ament · Letter of application to the American Board, Andover, Nov. 4, 1876, in Henry D. Porter, William Scott Ament: Missionary of the American Board to China (1911), pp. 32–33

Scripture

Romans 8:35, 37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... But in all these we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Reflection

When he applied to be a missionary, William Ament wrote that difficulties did not appall him, for he rested assured that as his day was, so his strength would be. This echoes the declaration in Romans: "No trouble, danger, or sword can separate us from the love of Christ." Reflecting on the present, we often lose our way in comfort and waver in the face of minor setbacks. True faith is not about praying to avoid the storms, but about recognizing the destiny of our souls amidst the storms. Only by surrendering our lives completely to the Lord who loves us can we be more than victorious in all challenges and live out our calling without regret.