But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. (II Corinthians 4:7-9, NKJV)…
For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face. (Psalm 11:7, The Message) Just when we think we have life figured out, something happens that throws us for a loop. In those moments we have a very important decision to make. We can use the situation to…
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
How many times have we heard, “Why didn’t He help me sooner?” It is not His order. He must first adjust you to the trouble and cause you to learn from it. God’s promise is, “I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.” He must be with you in the trouble day and night, and then He will take you out of it. This doesn’t come until you have stopped fretting and have become calm and quiet. Then He will say, “It is enough.”
God uses trouble to teach His children precious lessons. They are intended to educate us. There is a sweet joy and real value in them. He doesn’t regard them as difficulties, but as opportunities.
Not always OUT of our troublous times,
And the struggles fierce and grim,
But IN – deeper IN –
To our sure rest,
The place of our peace, in Him.by Annie Johnson Flint
Prayer: Mighty God, I feel as though You are putting me through a time of testing and I don’t want to miss the lesson You want me to learn. I take You at Your Word. Let my life prove that Your promises are always fulfilled! Amen.
Devotion by Susan Tracy