“A righteous man may have many
troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
(Psalm 34:19 NIV)
Have you read the story of Job lately? I like to avoid it. Suffering like Job did is more than I want to cozy up to. I recently read a book about slavery and how the heroine reconciled her faith in God during her struggle. Brothers and sisters in Christ in many countries live in danger. God has promised to deliver us all and bring us to Himself. I will trust Him. I hope you will, too!
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in
our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces
perseverance.”
(Romans 5:3 NIV)
Perseverance produces character and character produces hope. My confidence is that the purpose for which God created me will be ultimately realized. His purpose is to produce character in His children. I will triumph over sufferings as I rejoice in my Creator, my Savior. I will go through the refiner’s fire and come out on the other side more like Jesus, to reflect Him more clearly. I hope you will, too!
“I consider that our present sufferings
are not worth comparing with the glory
that will be revealed in us.”
(Romans 8:18 NIV)
My difficulties as a Christian
diminish in importance when compared to eternity. I dare not focus on my current
situation, because it is temporary.
C. T. Studd’s poem “Only One Life”
reminds me:
Two little lines I heard one day,
Travelling along life's busy way...
Only one life and it will soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
I will serve Christ today. I hope you will, too!
“For just as the sufferings of Christ
flow over into our lives,
so also through Christ our comfort
overflows.”
(2 Corinthians 1:5 NIV)
When I suffer for Christ, I will be comforted by Christ. God is the only Source of true comfort. His power is displayed in my weaknesses. The world is watching. They poke and prod to see how I will react to the evil around me. There is a battle raging on every side against Truth. I will stand up for Jesus as a soldier of the cross. I hope you will, too!
by Macy Johnson
“God is able to make all grace abound
to you,
so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work.”
(2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)
I picked
up my friend one Sunday afternoon to attend a funeral with her. “This is the
third funeral for me this week,” she announced as she climbed into my Tahoe. It
was a beautiful, peaceful ride to the church a few blocks away.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord
will be saved.”
(Romans 10:13 NIV)
It takes faith to call on Jesus. Faith comes from God through the Holy Spirit. It is a sign of the Almighty’s call on the life of His child. Before I knew Him, He knew me and called on me. I heard His call and responded through faith given to me. It is simple, but oh, so complicated - a God-sized revelation. I will call on the One who called me to Himself. I hope you will, too!
“You too, be patient and stand firm,
because the Lord’s coming is near.”
(James 5:8 NIV)
Paul David Tripp reminded me, “At the center of the life of faith is the willingness to wait on the One who accomplishes His will in His time and in His way. Do you struggle to wait? God meets you with empowering grace.” I get frustrated with my lack of control. I know my promised place of rest will come when the end comes. I will continue to do what God calls me to do. I hope you will, too!
