Good evening, brethren. 1 Evening devotion for today. ED.1. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* THE FAMILY AND THE GRACE OF GOD. *TOPIC:* CARE AND COMFORT. *TEXT:* 1 SAMUEL1:3-8. 3. Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4. Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5. But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb._ 6. Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” *TOPIC:* CARE AND COMFORT. *THE MESSAGE:* To care is to show due concern, while comfort is to encourage, help, and strengthen someone in pain or anguish. Hannah was always in pain as Peninnah mocked and ridiculed her because she was barren. Her husband, Elkanah, showed care by giving her a double portion of the meat to comfort her. Spouses need to show care and concern for each other when faced with challenges. When you care and comfort one another, you lighten their burdens and give them a reason to strive. Sadly, some people do not pay attention to what is happening to their spouses whether they are happy or in pains. Some even go to the extent of insulting them publicly. Are you like that? Change and imitate Elkanah's care for Hannah. *REFLECTION:* Care and comfort strengthen family bonds. *PRAYER:* Lord Jesus, help me to care for and comfort those in pain. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* PROVERBS 3:34. He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble and oppressed. *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* OBADIAH 1. ED.ii. THE DEATH OF STEPHEN "While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed: 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell on his knees and cried out: 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep." - Acts 7:59-60 You do not know when you will stand before the throne of God. It is important that we are always ready to meet Jesus. The story of Stephen's death allows us to think about this. Stephen died in the middle of his ministry for the Lord. The apostles were busy preaching the gospel and they said: 'Let us appoint men who can deal with the day-to-day affairs so we will be able to focus entirely on prayers and the ministry of the Word.' Seven men were appointed and one of them was Stephen who was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Many miracles happened: people were healed, and others were delivered from evil spirits (see Acts 6). The opponents of the gospel were also aware of this. In this time while Stephen was preaching and God was doing great miracles, Stephen was stoned and removed from his ministry. Many people wonder: 'Why Lord'? It is a great privilege if you are taken away while you are busy working for Him. However, the Lord's work always goes on. God's work cannot be stopped. Stephen's death was painful. He was surrounded by people who hated him. They gnashed their teeth at him and stoned him. Yet his passing was full of victory. He did not surrender to feelings of hate or revenge. Stephen was full of God's love and prayed: 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them' (Acts 7:60). When Jesus waited for Stephen at the gates of heaven, He must have said: 'Good and faithful servant.' How will it be when we die? Are we ready to meet Jesus today? https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening prayer for today. E.D.i. Evening Prayer I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. ⏤ Psalm 138:2 The reality of prayer is found in a life that is devoted to God. ⏤ Andrew Murray We will praise You, O God, with our whole heart. We will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and for Your truth, for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when we cried to You, You answered us. We thank You for Your love, which never fails, and for Your grace, which is given for every moment of need. Though You are high, yet You have regard for the lowly. Your eyes see even the least of Your redeemed children. The youngest child is watched over by You. You hear the cry of the birds in their hunger. We rejoice to think of the care You have for every child of Your own, and how secure we are in the keeping of Your love. You have been, and You are, our dwelling place. Though we walk in the midst of trouble, You will protect us. You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of the Evil One, who seeks our destruction. Forsake not the work of Your own hands. Allow us not to fall away into darkness and into the pains of eternal death, but deliver us, we beseech You, from all sin, and save us to eternal life. May this evening be one of preparation for the coming Sunday. Grant us rest so that we may be ready for the day's duties and worship. Then turn our thoughts and affections toward Sunday worship, that we may be in the Spirit on the Lord's day. Give holy thoughts to all who are preparing to speak the words of life to Your people. Warm their hearts with Your love, and hold them near to You, that they may come from the very secret of Your presence to stand and speak for You before others. We ask all in the name of our Redeemer. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/69/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.