August 13

United We Stand

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Song: “Let All Together Praise Our God”

The human body is a marvelous thing. And Paul points out something obvious but powerful: no body part can function properly without the other. If we get sick, the whole body suffers. But the principle also works in reverse. If my left leg delivers a perfect soccer kick to score a goal and win the game, does my right leg get jealous? Of course not, my whole body jumps up and down and celebrates! The same is true for those who love Jesus, this communion, this body—we suffer together and we celebrate together. Why? Because we’re all members of the same body.

A precious couple at our church had served and sung praises to the Lord for many years. Yet their marriage had taken a hard hit after 30 years together, and they were contemplating divorce. Our hearts were broken when the wife cried out for prayer. As a class we surrounded her and prayed with tears falling down our cheeks.

We joined together, “bombarding Heaven” with their names— not just once, but many times. When their marriage was healed we were overjoyed.

Together we had cried; together we rejoiced.

Lord, thank You for creating our bodies to be perfectly in synch, each part with the other. Help us believers to unite in one accord rather than separating in discord. May we never grow callous, forgetting to celebrate the triumphs of the body of Christ. I pray in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

August 13–19. Tammy Whitehurst is a full-time motivational Christian speaker and writer from White Oak, Texas. Her ministry is called Joy for the Journey.