“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:7)
If any one has a desire to understand Moses and his power to lead a restless people through the desert on to the promised land, all must start by appreciating his 40 years of wandering in the desert. To know well Apostle Paul and, his unquenchable spirit to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, starts with appreciating he was once struck blind and for a certain period was in no man’s land. Joseph who saved his people cannot be fully appreciated without taking into note his being sold into slavery and long years of being locked up on false accusation. Such terrible years of solititude and nobidiness made these great servants of God!
Very often these days one hears of a certain Gospel that emphasises the wellbeing and prosperity of believers. It is true that our God is a rewarder of all who worship him in truth. But just as well God is interested in equipping those whom he calls to serve Him. One way, among many, is to first take any through the ring of fire, as to purify them and remove all the dross for the finished gold.
Perhaps as a believer you might be wondering why must one experience pain and suffering yet a dear child of God! There is a simple reason. Paul writes, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phillipians 1:6). He reminds us, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5: 3-5).
Friend, be comforted if there are any low moments in your life, for quite often, there is work going on for God to perfect you for His service.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, where there are difficult moments in my life may I realise and accept this could be to deepen my faith and serve you better to your glory, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
