The Daily Devotional
Monday, December 9, 2024
Victory Over the Plague
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:2-3)
Introduction
In Psalm 103, David invites us to remember and rejoice in the boundless mercies of God. This psalm beautifully celebrates the benefits of the Lord: forgiveness, healing, redemption, and steadfast love. In this spirit of gratitude, we reflect on a remarkable milestone in human history—the eradication of smallpox, a deadly disease that has plagued humanity for centuries. This victory, declared in 1980, was a testament to global collaboration, scientific innovation, and the tireless efforts of countless individuals.
Reflection
Imagine a world gripped by fear, where the specter of smallpox loomed large, claiming lives and leaving survivors scarred for life. For centuries, this disease was a constant reminder of humanity’s vulnerability. Yet, through the perseverance of individuals who believed in the possibility of change, the World Health Organization launched a global vaccination campaign in 1967. Within a decade, the disease that had once ravaged the earth was no more.
This triumph serves as a modern-day parable of healing and restoration. Just as smallpox was eradicated through intentional action, God’s grace eradicates the disease of sin from our lives. Though sin, like smallpox, infects deeply and leaves its scars, God’s forgiveness heals and restores.
An illustration of this restoration is the story of a boy in India who, at the height of the smallpox epidemic, was given a chance at life through vaccination. Years later, he became a doctor, dedicating his life to preventing suffering. In the same way, God redeems us and often calls us to be instruments of healing for others.
Application
As Christians, we are invited to participate in God’s redemptive work. Just as the eradication of smallpox required unity and perseverance, so too does the mission of spreading the gospel and bringing hope to a hurting world. Reflect on the areas of your life where God has healed you—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Consider how you can share that healing with others.
We are also called to gratitude. The eradication of smallpox reminds us of the great things God has done through human effort. Let us not take for granted the blessings of modern medicine, health, and the opportunities to serve others.
Conclusion
The eradication of smallpox reminds us that with determination and trust in God, great victories are possible. While humanity’s work eliminated a physical plague, Christ’s work on the cross defeated the spiritual plague of sin for all eternity. May we, as His followers, live lives of gratitude and purpose, always pointing others toward the ultimate Healer.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your mercy and healing. Thank You for the minds You inspired to eradicate smallpox and for the victories You grant us in our daily lives. Forgive us for the times we forget Your benefits and take them for granted. Heal us from the scars of sin, and equip us to share Your love with a world still in need of healing. Use us, Lord, as Your instruments of grace and peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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