Voice: Jennifer
Today is Friday, 8th of August. Let us observe a moment of silence.
We read Psalm 17:6-9
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who do me violence,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.
James 1:2-8
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Reflection
Count It All Joy
Life is full of trials—some are stressful, painful, even traumatic. James uses a vivid expression to describe them as “various” or “multi-coloured” trials. They come in different shapes and intensities, each testing us in unique ways.
Naturally, we don’t respond with joy to suffering. But James urges us to consider it pure joy, not because pain is enjoyable, but because these trials bring us to the heart of life’s purpose and meaning.
Through trials, we learn steadfastness—the ability to “keep on keeping on.” Our faith, when tested, reveals what lies deep within us. The Christian life is about staying the course, looking to Jesus, and keeping the faith. In the end, it is not success but faithfulness that will be commended.
Trials stretch us. They expose our weaknesses and require us to adjust, mature, and grow. They test the genuineness of our faith and help complete us in Christ. Life’s “bitters”—as harsh as they may be—can make us better.
Trials also drive us to seek divine wisdom. Life is full of complexities that human insight cannot easily untangle. Wisdom often feels like a slippery eel—just when you think you’ve grasped it, it slips away. But trials create space in our lives for deeper prayer and dependence. In those moments of pause and confusion, we are invited to lean on God and see things from His perspective.
Without this anchoring, doubts can toss us like waves on the sea, leaving us unsteady and adrift. That’s why James urges us to trust in God completely. He is the source of the wisdom and strength we need to persevere.
No, trials may not be pleasant. But still—count it all joy. Keep a joyful, forward-looking perspective. For in every season, even the stormy ones, you are being shaped and steadied to sail into the heart of God’s will and purpose for your life.
We end with this Collect:
O most loving Father, who wiliest us to give thanks for all things,
to dread nothing but the loss of thee,
and to cast all our care on thee who carest for us:
Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties,
and grant that no clouds of this mortal life
may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal.
Amen
Be blessed by this song, Blessings
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand
To ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we’d have faith to believe
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
When friends betray us
And when darkness seems to win, we know
The pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It’s not our home
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?
Link to today’s Morning Office
About This Daily Devotion
This weekday devotion is drawn from the Morning Office and is part of a project initiated by Revd Canon Terry Wong, with contributions from clergy and members across various parishes. Each entry includes selected readings from the appointed Psalm and another Scripture passage, accompanied by a reflection and prayer. An audio option is also available, often ending with a hymn or song. We encourage you to both read and listen.
Our aim is to help Anglicans engage more deeply with our rich liturgical tradition, while meeting the devotional needs of today’s believers. This project began on Ash Wednesday 2025 and is offered on weekdays only.
For feedback, please write to us at info@mpcc.org.sg
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