Josh McDowell's Youth DevotionsSample

A LESSON FROM LONDON. St. Paul's Cathedral was completed in London in 1710. It is one of the most beautiful and impressive churches in the world and is the center of the Church of England in London. During World War II, when Adolph Hitler and the forces of Nazi Germany had conquered most of Europe, the city of London was "a besieged city" (Psalm 31:21, NIV), under almost constant attack from the planes of the Luftwaffe, the German air force. From September of 1940 through May of 1941, Germany's planes bombed London and other British cities almost every night. Much of London was destroyed during those months, either by the bombs or by the fires the bombs spread through London's buildings. One of the areas that was hardest hit was the section of London called "the City." Near the center of "the City" stood St. Paul's Cathedral. In the midst of all the destruction caused by Hitler's planes in London, St. Paul's impressive dome stood. While bombs and fires raged all around, St. Paul's (though damaged) was not destroyed. In fact, if you go to London today, proud Londoners will still show you the scars and scorches that yet mark the great cathedral but that never destroyed it. The preservation of St. Paul's Cathedral through the devastation of the Battle of Britain is a symbol of what God does for those who are faithful to him. Battles may rage around you, even within you. The battles may even touch you and scar you. You may go through fires and storms in your life. But "the Lord preserves the faithful," the Bible says, so "be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord" (Psalm 31:23-24, NIV). Be faithful to him because he will always be faithful to you. REFLECT: Today's Bible reading says God "will preserve the faithful." Do you think that means you'll never have a problem if you're faithful to him? Do you think it means you'll never be sad? If the answer to both questions is no, what do you think the phrase does mean? Does the Lord's faithfulness to you make you want to be faithful to him? Why? PRAY: "Lord God, I thank you for your promise to preserve the faithful. Help me to experience the blessings of faithfulness. And please keep me faithful even through all my temptations and problems."