Day 35

Be Still:  Dear Father, thank you that nothing happens outside of Your control.  Help us to trust in You when things do seem out of control.  In Jesus’ name, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen

Be Strengthened:  John 19:6-12

⁶As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."

⁷The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."

⁸When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, ⁹and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"

¹¹Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

¹²From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."

Be Stretched:  When Jesus would not answer him, Pilate started throwing around his authority.  Jesus replied telling Pilate that he had no true power.  Think about those in power over the countries of the world.  All of them, even the bad rulers, only have power because God has allowed it.  Regardless of our personal opinion of them, we are commanded to pray for those in authority.  Take time today to pray for those in leadership in our country and throughout the world.