Anchor Devotional

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The Rose Bush

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:2

I had a climbing rose bush that I loved. But it had grown straggly and lanky, so when my dad came for a visit, I asked him to trim it back a bit. Later when he asked me to inspect his work, I almost cried. He had chopped it severely! Only a few stubs remained, and I was sure it would die.

That incident causes me to think about how the Lord sometimes makes painful cuts in our lives. He may take away people we love or remove opportunities we were fond of. He may close doors on our plans. Have you mourned those types of losses and cried out to Him, “Why God?” We may have to wait a season or two—or even more—to find out why. In the dark waiting times, God draws near and teaches us to depend only on Him, not on other people or things. When the time of mourning is past, we can see it was for the best.

Through God’s pruning in our lives and hearts, He draws us closer, blessing us with deeper appreciation of His ways and His love. And my rose bush? As you probably guessed, the next year it was covered with more blossoms than ever before!

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
John 15:1-8

INSIGHT
In God’s tender and surprising providence, the worst that can happen often turns out to be the best that could happen.

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Judges 20-21
Psalm 119:1-88
1 Corinthians 12

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