LHM Daily Devotions - A Saint for All Seasons

"A Saint for All Seasons"

Feb. 11, 2019

He is like a tree planted by the streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

~ Psalm 1:3 (ESV)

In the 1966 Academy Award movie entitled, A Man for All Seasons, Sir Thomas More remained steadfast to his own conscience, but he paid a terrible price. He could not be cajoled, coerced, or compromised into supporting King Henry VIII's bid to Pope Clement VII in order for the king to rid himself of Catherine, his wife, annul the marriage, and marry Anne of Boleyn, in the hope of producing a male heir to the throne of England. Sir Thomas More loses his head, literally, as a "reward" for his faithfulness to the church, being condemned and beheaded by the throne of England for treason to the king. The phrase "a man for all seasons" has evolved to represent any common man or woman who acts with calm resolution, living by the higher principles of loyalty and conscience to God in the midst of the dangerous vicissitudes of life.

Psalm one sets the tone for all who dare to read the Word of God and live by it. That man or woman is blessed who meditates on the Word, day and night, following its precepts living as a light in the midst of the ungodly. Such a man or woman shall be like a flourishing tree on the bank of a flowing river, nourished daily by the waters of life that bring forth plentiful fruit to the glory of God, the Creator. The tree of the wicked does not prosper, its leaf quickly withers, and the wind sweeps away all decay. The tree of the wicked will not be found among the righteous, but the tree of the righteous will be firmly planted in paradise forever. Between the righteous and the wicked, a great chasm has been fixed. The destiny of the righteous and the wicked before God diverge eternally. "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous; but the way of the wicked will perish" (Psalm 1:6).

The Christian who abides in the Word of God is like a saint for all seasons. The storms of life cannot dislodge this saint from the promises of God's Word. This all-season saint remains deeply rooted in the good soil of God's Word. In season and out of season, abundant fruit is produced in the life of this saint. Why? Because this saint has learned the secret of remaining faithful not by strength of will nor charismatic personality but by simple trust in the true source of the God-pleasing sanctified life. "For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

Fear not, O saint! God Himself is at work in you securing the salvation of your soul every day of your short little life. Fret not, O saint! Your prayers are heard and answered all in good time. In every season of your life, God's ceaseless work of sanctification finds no rest until He completes what He began in you—what He began in you through Baptism into our beloved Savior and Lord, Christ Jesus. Rejoice, O saint! In every season to the glory of God.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, cause my spirit in every season to ceaselessly rejoice in Christ Jesus. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Mark Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
In the 1966 Academy Award movie entitled, A Man for All Seasons, Sir Thomas More remained steadfast to his own conscience, but he paid a terrible price.