THE VALUE OF SALT
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
At the end of His Beatitudes, Jesus stated that His followers were to be salt and light in the world. Salt was highly valued in the ancient world for four special qualities:
- Its purity – glistening white and coming from the sun and the sea, it was the most primitive of all offerings to the gods. If we are to be salt, we must be an example of purity. In the world, efforts to lower standards of honesty, diligence in work, conscientiousness and morality are going on all the time. The Christian must be the person who holds aloft the standard for purity of speech, conduct and thought. Words cannot be effective unless backed up by pure living.
- It was inexpensive but precious – Christians may seem few, insignificant and of no consequence to society. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Paul addressed the early church with the concept that though few in numbers, lowly and unimportant, Christians are called to exercise godly influence over the whole of society.
- As a preservative to keep meat from going bad – salt rubbed into meat slowed the rotting process. Christians whose lives exhibit “blessedness” will have a preserving impact upon a society that, if left to itself, will rot and deteriorate. In Judges 9:45, Abimelech, after defeating the city of Shechem destroyed it and scattered salt all over it. Spiritually, this is what the Christian does when he takes his stand for God in society. He makes that society, be it his friends in school, his fellow students at college, his co-workers, or those with whom he plays sports, less fertile soil for other ungodly influences. We too can have a preserving witness, by being involved with this world gone wrong, if we will pay the price.
- To season food – salt brings out the distinctive flavor of food. The increase of God’s people should increase the flavor of life in many different ways. By His very presence, Jesus raised the spirits of people. There was a quality about His life that could not be explained in natural terms. As our verse for today says, our speech especially should be seasoned with salt. In this context Paul also talks about not grieving the Holy Spirit. Since speech is linked to a person’s spiritual state and has tremendous potential for building up or tearing down (James3:3-12), the constant reminder is to watch not only what is allowed to come forth but how it comes.
By our presence, participation and penetration of society, in our daily contacts in our neighborhood and community, we are to bring the flavor of Christ to an unbelieving world.
RESPONSE: Today I will check my conversation and be sure I season it with the salt of purity.
PRAYER: Lord, forgive me when I grieve Your Holy Spirit by what I do and what I say and how I say it.
 | The Fix for Our Faulty Vision ALICIA BRUXVOORT Lee en español |
“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)
“See me, Mommy! See me!” my youngest daughter hollered from the top of the slide on that long-ago summer’s day.
I smiled at her singsong plea and waved my arms in acknowledgment as she launched her slender frame down the slanted chute.
Meeting her at the bottom of the slide with a hug, I then followed my little girl across the playground to the faded blue swingset.
“See me, Mommy! See me!” she begged again as she pumped her spindly legs up and down with a giggle.
This little giggler wasn’t the first preschooler to solicit my eyes as she explored the world around her. Four children before her had invited my gaze, but their pleas had been wrapped in a different phrase.
“Watch me, Mommy! Watch me!” my first four had demanded when they’d sought applause for their accomplishments or acknowledgment for their efforts.
“Watch me, Mommy! Watch me!” they’d cried as they dangled from monkey bars and somersaulted across the grass, hopped on one foot or danced in the kitchen.
At the time, I didn’t consider my youngest one’s plea to be any different than the cry of the siblings who had come before her. But looking back now, I believe my daughter’s unusual word choice was more than a matter of mere linguistics. It was the cry of her fifth-born heart.
Planted in a house swelling with big brothers and sisters, our littlest girl was used to being watched; she wanted to be seen. The difference may seem slight, but it’s significant. To watch requires our eyes, but to see engages our heart.
God makes this distinction clear when He sends the prophet Samuel on a mission to anoint a new king. Aware that human view often falls short of God’s vision, the Lord commands Samuel to look past the visible veneer to the discernible interior.
“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” (1 Samuel 16:7)
In its original language, the word used for “see” is ra’ah, which means “to see with the mind, to perceive, to know.” This kind of sight involves more than hasty impressions; it requires an astute pause of perception.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus shows us what it looks like to emulate God’s vision.
When He meets an outcast woman at the well in Samaria, Jesus sees more than a hopeless harlot. He spies a broken daughter thirsty for abundant life. (John 4:1-42)
When He notices Zacchaeus in the tree, Jesus sees more than a despised tax collector. He recognizes a man longing for a place to belong. (Luke 19:1-10)
When He encounters Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus sees more than a brash fisherman. He spots a bold disciple upon whom He will build His church. (Matthew 4:18-20; Matthew 16:18)
I want to see like Jesus does, but I’ll be honest — it’s not easy. On my own, I’m prone to peer at people through eyes of apathy or curiosity, carelessness or judgment.
Thankfully, tucked in the folds of Scripture is a fix for my faulty eyes. Keep “looking to Jesus,” Hebrews 12:2 encourages (ESV).
When we fix our eyes on Jesus — focusing on His character and attending to His presence, acknowledging His authority and agreeing with His Word — our optics are refined.
God’s grace becomes the lens through which we view the world around us, and His love is the plumb line for our perceptions. In time, our habits of shallow scrutiny are replaced by the practice of sagacious sight.
But best of all, when we glue our gaze to our Savior, we become seers instead of watchers. And we make the heart of heaven visible on the dust of earth.
Dear Jesus, forgive me for being swift to watch and slow to see. I want to do more than bear Your name; I want to share Your vision. Give me Your eyes for the people in my path. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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For more encouragement and a free resource to help you fix your eyes on Jesus, head to Alicia Bruxvoort’s blog today.
FOR DEEPER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 4:18: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (NIV)
Who in your life needs to know they are seen today? What can you do to communicate that truth? Share your ideas in the comments.
© 2021 by Alicia Bruxvoort. All rights reserved.
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Promise #203
Promise #203:
I will strengthen you with feet like a deer so you can reach great heights.
Habakkuk 3:19 (WEB)
Yahweh, the Lord, is my strength.
He makes my feet like deer’s feet,
and enables me to go in high places.
Have you ever watched a deer or a mountain goat walk on the side of a mountain? It is really quite an amazing sight to see. They are so sure-footed that they can walk on ledges so thin that it would seem impossible in the natural.
In this promise, Habakkuk says that since the Lord is his strength, God will make his feet as steady as those of a deer so he can walk in high places. I believe that God wants to take us all to greater heights and walk in the confidence that only comes from walking not in our own power or self-effort, but from the strength from Almighty God.
In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul says that eye has not seen, nor has ear heard what God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. There is a great adventure calling each and every one of us to come up higher in the Spirit.
May we not allow our fear of heights to prevent us to go today where He is calling. He will equip us with the strength we need to go where He is calling us to go. All we have to be is willing vessels.
Love God And Love Others Well
I Love You This Much
“The celestial realms announce God’s glory; the skies testify of His hands’ great work.” — Psalm 19:1
Most of us would be quick to acknowledge that all of creation “speaks” of God — that is announces His majesty and splendor. But how many of us realize that creation also declares His love for us? Because we’re humans, we couldn’t handle God revealing His love for us in all its divine fullness, so He speaks to us through His creation.
If you’ve ever stepped outside your door on a brilliant, seventy-degree day after a week of cold rain and thought you were going to explode with joy — or if you’ve ever choked back tears at the sight of a canyon, a field, a forest, or a waterfall — those were God’s was of telling you how much He loves you. Just imagine someone stretching his arms out and shouting “I love you this much!” That’s what God does with each sunrise, each sunset that stretches across a never-ending sky. What will you say to Him in reply?
I see the works of Your hand, and I hear You, Lord. You’re telling me how much You love me, and my heart is about to burst in reply. Amen.
“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” ― Shel Silverstein
His Work Isn’t Done
by: DaySpring
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. PROVERBS 3:5–6 ESV
God’s work is never done in our lives. When we start one job and feel it’ll be a lifetime career, God may have other plans. But don’t be alarmed—He created us for so much more! In each season of life, our purpose molds, shifts, and reshapes. Your purpose is not defined by one thing or one moment. God is continuously writing our stories, and we have to be okay with a few plot twists.
If you feel as if you have been forgotten, trust me, you have not. If you feel like you can’t hear His direction, ask for clarity. He knows you, and He knows your heart. He has not forsaken you. Just because one door closes, it doesn’t mean there’s not another door waiting for you. Just as in nature, our lives have seasons too. There are times of drought and times of abundance. But rest assured, God is always working. There is a special purpose in each season, even when we can’t see what it is. God knows what’s coming up for you, and it’s your part to trust Him with your past, present, and future.
Remember, silence doesn’t equal a lack of remembrance. Let God guide you in the waiting. Ask Him to give you an extra dose of patience and love. A table is being prepared for you, and even though it’s hard to wait, it’s so worth it. God’s work has just begun.
Melissa Horvath
You Got This
Looking for more inspiration? You can find more resources for hope and encouragement, such as products to help you grow in your faith or resources in our article library on DaySpring.com.
Who Is the Fearsome Abaddon in the End Times?
- Lisa Loraine Baker
- Contributing Writer
Who Is Abaddon in the Bible?
Quick. Think of the scariest place you can. I define scary here as a location where you would never want to find yourself. For me, the scariest place is hell. God is not there. Why would I want to be? It’s the realm of fallen angels and its ruler is, of course, the devil, “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Some of his legions of evil angels (demons) yet to be released at a predetermined time (Revelation 9:15; 12:7-9)—dwell there (2 Peter 2:4). Its ruler? Apollyon (Abaddon personified) (pronounced Aba DOAN). Some scholars say one-third of all the fallen angels inhabit that place (Revelation 12:4,9), and since the number of angels is innumerable (Hebrews 12:22), we know the devils command an immense horde of demons. The root verb of Abaddon, however, is intransitive rather than passive. It carries the idea of a state of continuous decay, actively in a ruinous state, rather than that of being ruined or being destroyed.
Abaddon is named seven different times in the Bible (Job 26:6; 28:22; 31:12, Psalm 88:11, Proverbs 15:11; 27:20, and Revelation 9:11). Revelation describes Abaddon as a being—Satan himself—Apollyon, “the angel of the bottomless pit.” A place of destruction as described in the Old Testament is now described as a being of destruction, destroyer, which Satan is and his name reflects that. What would a being of destruction do but destroy? God does not give names lightly (Genesis 32:27-28, 1 Chronicles 21:1). The name, Satan, means adversary. There are two kinds of wrath for man, God’s (Romans 1:18), and Satan’s, which God allows him to unleash during what many biblical scholars call the Great Tribulation [the last three years of the Tribulation, which culminates in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:11-16)].https://946afeeb30c0d1659f3a7b666191e60b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Revelation 9:11 gives us an introduction to Apollyon, the destroyer, (the personification of Abaddon, as we saw above), Abaddon, and to the abyss, the terrifying storehouse for fallen angels and the unbelieving dead. It’s worth a look at the verse which precedes the scene. “And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit (the abyss). The fifth angel is God’s; he is one of those who “stand before God” (Revelation 8:2). He is one of many who announce the coming wrath of the Almighty God via the seals, bowls, and trumpet judgments in Revelation.
Verse 9:11 says, “And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” It makes sense that Apollyon is indeed Satan. Because Satan’s pride rules him, why would he give other demons titles he himself would rather lay claim to. He is mighty in evil and every act is a lie.
Is There a Different Meaning for Abaddon in the Old Testament and What is the Difference Between it and Apollyon?
The Hebrew word, Abaddon, occurs six times in the Old Testament, and each meaning of Abaddon is destruction, a place Abaddon in Job 26:6, Proverbs 15:11 reveals (the hearts of men lie open before the Lord), and Proverbs 27:20 states Abaddon is never satisfied, always insatiable (1 Peter 5:8). Job 26:6 basically means there is nothing hidden from God, including Abaddon, which has no covering. As it is in Job 28:22, Abaddon and Death are no source for wisdom, as they “have heard a rumor of it with our ears.” Job 31:12 speaks to the depth of Abaddon, punctuating its description as the abyss. Psalm 88 is one of lament from one who thinks the Lord had left him to his troubles, and since he felt as if he were in the place of destruction (Abaddon), where none of God’s lovingkindness is not declared (Psalm 88:11). These references give us enough information to understand it’s not a good place, instead it is a place of darkness and ruination. Only God knows its full import and meaning. Trusting Him with what remains a mystery to us is part of living a faithful life.
Revelation 9:11 gives us a pointer to the difference between the two: Abaddon is the place, and Apollyon is the personification of the place. Apollyon has been described as one of Satan’s great “generals of death,” and in verse 11 he is called “the king of the bottomless pit,” but in essence, it is Satan himself. It makes sense the devil would command those of the netherworld (all with the permission of God (Job 1:6-12 and alluded to in Luke 22:31-32). He has been given the key to this abyss, and he will release the locust-like creatures of destruction. The book of Revelation gives us three scene locations: heaven, earth, and the abyss, and chapter nine includes all three.https://946afeeb30c0d1659f3a7b666191e60b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Why Should Christians Know about Abaddon?
If a person is not a believer, he lacks the power of the Spirit for protection and discernment (Ephesians 4:27; 6:11) and can be swayed by the ministrations of the devil and even brought to ruin (1 Peter 5:8). In this world, there’s no getting around him. He tries to affect believers as best he can, but God is greater in us (1 John 4:4).
In contrast, we have a holy fear of God (awe, reverent respect, and submission), and our redemption has been bought by Him (John 3:16). We love Him, and He only does wondrous things (Psalm 72:18). A wise commentator states, as believers on earth, we are as close to hell as we will ever be. And unbelievers here on earth are as close to heaven as they will ever be. It’s a sobering fact and it’s one we would do well to remember as we witness to unsaved people.
It is our great responsibility to pray, study, and meditate upon the Scriptures, for in them we learn all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). God speaks to us through His Word, and we, with unveiled faces, will behold Christ as He changes us from one degree of glory to another into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Imagine standing before the Lord at the Bema Seat of Judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 16:27, Revelation 22;12). Our faith in Christ will be “on trial,” and all our deeds will be laid bare for all to see—and most importantly—for Christ to judge. What we do with this life God gave us is the here and now, and, as believers, we are to, “in our hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15). Included in our report will be how and when we shared (and did not share) the truth (John 14:6). Our sin will be one of omission if we have the opportunity to tell someone the good news of Jesus and instead, keep our mouths shut. To disappoint our Lord and then lose rewards (for faithfulness) is a scary thought. We cannot expect our godly lives to speak for us. We must use our mouths as the Lord equips us through His Spirit-written Bible.https://946afeeb30c0d1659f3a7b666191e60b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Further, imagine what it will be like for unsaved loved ones to face the terrors wrought by Abaddon (Apollyon). It’s worse than any creative movie maker can conceive. Both scenarios (facing Christ at the Bema seat and envisioning our beloveds under the wiles of Apollyon) should drive us to get past our fears and share the good news, for what can man do to us (Hebrews 13:6)? We will all stand before him—all of us—one group to enter His rest (Hebrews 4:5) and another to condemnation God (John 3:16-17, Revelation 21:27; 22:14).
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/miwa_in_oz
Lisa Loraine Baker is a rock & roll girl who loves Jesus. She and her husband, Stephen, inhabit their home as the “Newlyweds of Minerva” with crazy cat, Lewis. Lisa is co-author of the non-fiction narrative, “Someplace to be Somebody” (End Game Press, spring 2022). She has also written for Lighthouse Bible Studies, and CBN.com,
This article is part of our larger End Times Resource Library. Learn more about the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that explain Biblical truths. You do not need to fear or worry about the future!
Battle of Armageddon
Tribulation
Signs of the End Times
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
The Seventh Seal Opened
What Is the Death Angel?
15 Spiritual Warfare Scriptures
iBelieve Contributing Writer
15 Spiritual Warfare Scriptures for When You Face the Battle
Praying God’s words back to Him, is a powerful weapon against the forces of evil. It is Truth going out. It reminds us that God knows our way and understands what we face today. It builds our faith and our trust in God. It guards our hearts and focuses our minds back on Him. It wins the battle.
Here are 15 Spiritual Warfare Scriptures for you to Read, Pray, and Memorize… Go win the battle in the name of Jesus.
15 Spiritual Warfare Scriptures
- Debbie McDanieliBelieve Contributing Writer
- 202105 April
- 1. James 4:7Slide 1 of 16
“Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
2. 1 John 4:4
Slide 2 of 16
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Stockbyte
3. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Slide 3 of 16
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2 Cor 10:3-5
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/chaiyapruek2520
4. 1 Peter 5:8-9
Slide 4 of 16
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” – 1 Pet 5:8-9
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/BartekSzewczyk
5. Isaiah 54:17
Slide 5 of 16
“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.” – Isaiah 54:17
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Brooke Cagle
6. Ephesians 6:11-17
Slide 6 of 16
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Eph 6:11-17
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Fyletto
7. Romans 8:37
Slide 7 of 16
“In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” – Rom 8:37
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8. 1 Corinthians 15:57
Slide 8 of 16
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Cor 15:57
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9. Zechariah 4:6
Slide 9 of 16
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” – Zechariah 4:6
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10. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Slide 10 of 16
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” – 2 Thes 3:3
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11. Luke 10:19
Slide 11 of 16
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” – Luke 10:19
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Naassom_Azevedo
12. John 10:10
Slide 12 of 16
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Naassom Azevedo
13. Matthew 18:18-19
Slide 13 of 16
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” – Matthew 18:18-19
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Ig0rZh
14. Deuteronomy 28:7
Slide 14 of 16
“The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.” – Deuteronomy 28:7
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/RonTech2000
15. John 16:33
Slide 15 of 16
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Kieferpix
We are secure in God.
Slide 16 of 16
When we belong to Christ, the enemy never has the final word over our lives. We are secure in God’s hands.
This slideshow is adapated from the article, 31 Spiritual Warfare Scriptures, written by Debbie McDaniel.
Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor’s wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead’s facebook page DebbieWebbMcDaniel, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also at http://twitter.com/debbmcdaniel and http://www.debbiemcdaniel.com.
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don’t waste your pain
…know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. — Philippians 3:10
Don’t Waste Your Pain
by Adam B. Dooley from Hope When Life Unravels
SILVER LININGS IN DARK PLACES
Surveying the various good outcomes God frequently produces from our agonies requires a careful word of caution.
Because knowing the mind of God is impossible (Romans 11:33–34), discerning His intentions demands humility.
Though it is true that God may have a singular goal for our afflictions, His desired end is often multifaceted and complex. You may understand something of God’s design for your hardships, but the full breadth of His intentions is often incomprehensible.
Grasping for understanding of what God might be teaching you is commendable, but speaking dogmatically for Him is not. We should be proactive in order to grow, without being presumptuous regarding the Lord. With these boundaries in place, the following list is by no means comprehensive.
These are just some of the beneficial results God brings into our lives through our suffering.
Trials Grow and Strengthen Our Faith
Because God is more concerned with our character than our comfort, sometimes He chooses to use calamity in order to sanctify us. James 1:2-4 explains:
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
If ease or happiness is your primary goal in life, you will likely feel frustrated and betrayed when God chooses to deepen your maturity through a trial. The potential for meaningful development and growth, however, may be greatest when we are hurting the most. Will you eagerly follow a God who will likely break you in order to mature your commitment to Him?
Before Carson was sick, I confess that my life was relatively easy — no major heartache and few serious problems to weather. This first real challenge to my faith tested everything I said I believed. Even though I had preached for more than a decade with an adequate knowledge of the Scriptures, suddenly my situation forced me to reckon with my confidence in the fundamentals of my faith.
Surface faith will not suffice when circumstances threaten what you treasure most in life.
I am thankful that throughout our dilemma, my confidence in God’s truth only deepened. Before I might have told you what I believe about Christianity. Today I can tell you what I know from firsthand experience.
Trials Deepen Our Fellowship with Jesus and Reveal His Strength
When speaking about his primary goal for living, the apostle Paul reminds disciples of Jesus of the need to seek to
know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. — Philippians 3:10
Though most of us are eager to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection, we are less enthusiastic about the fellowship of His sufferings. Do not forget, however, that the agony of Golgotha preceded the glory of His victory over the grave. As we learned previously, experiencing the power of Christ’s resurrection begins on the road of heartache.
In a similar way, receiving God’s power in our lives will require enduring great wounds without wavering. Apart from suffering, we simply cannot learn about God or relate to Him on an intimate level. Believing that God is real and present is one thing; trusting that He is enough, no matter what we face, is another thing entirely.
Though we are quite capable of cognitively grasping these ideas, we cannot embrace them fully until we experience their reality for ourselves.
Trials force us to move beyond superficial knowledge of Jesus into a meaningful, daily walk with Him.
Even those who believe the gospel and claim a relationship with God sometimes fail to live in light of their commitment.
Tragically, though we know God is there, we seldom feel like we need Him. Before Carson’s diagnosis, I often preached about the peace of God, but I seldom felt like I needed it. My prayer life was consistent, but it left much to be desired. I read my Bible to prepare sermons, but I rarely did so with desperation to hear from the Lord. My outward obedience was, at times, lacking the inward fellowship with God that I now crave.
Maybe you can relate. Do you pray more when times are tough? Is your Bible always close by when you are searching for answers? Is your church worship attendance noticeably more frequent when things have gone awry in your life? Why are these patterns so apparent? Stated simply, it’s because suffering forces us to live what we really believe. Thus, the Lord beckons us into a deeper, more meaningful fellowship with Jesus through the doorway of hardship. In our weakness, we move from having a cognitive awareness of His strength to experiencing the personal peace it brings.
Trials Increase Our Effectiveness in Serving Others
We seldom consider how our current struggles might prepare us for future service, yet God often equips us to serve others as a result of our most painful experiences.
In 2 Corinthians 1:4, we learn that God the Father
comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
In addition to the personal benefit God produces, the fruit of adversity in our lives will often bear the seeds of comfort for other hurting believers along the way. The Lord’s intention to comfort us is also His investment in bearing the pain of others who are not even hurting yet. When we enjoy the supernatural peace that surpasses our understanding today, we become distributors of that same consolation to others tomorrow and every day thereafter (Philippians 4:7).
Today I regularly receive calls from other pastors and churches whenever a child they know is diagnosed with cancer of some sort. Though I was completely unaware of it at the time, God was giving my wife and me the gift of His comfort so that we could share it with other hurting people.
Your trials will enable you to do the same.
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Trials Embolden Other Christians to Be Courageous for Christ
Similar to its impact on those outside of Christianity, resolute commitment to the Lord despite adverse realities is a powerful motivator for other believers as well. Again, God’s servant to the Gentiles is a powerful example of maximizing our deepest moments of despair for the kingdom of God. Philippians 1:14 celebrates this: “Most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.” In other words, Paul’s devotion to Christ in prison was a powerful influence on believers who were not suffering.
Those who were less committed were challenged to devote their lives to the gospel because one man was willing to serve God under any circumstance.
Think about the Christians who inspire you the most.
Chances are you watched them walk through a season of difficulty without wavering. When I was a boy, my favorite teacher fought a brain tumor for nearly four years. This giant of a man demonstrated the substance of Christianity to me in a profound way. Before one of his surgeries, he sat me down in the hallway of my elementary school one day and declared, “I am not afraid to die, and you won’t be either if you will live every day of your life for Jesus Christ.” That conversation still impacts me today. Mr. A, as we called him, ultimately lost his earthly battle with cancer, but he is still enjoying his heavenly reward for such profound faithfulness.
His life emboldened me to give myself more fully to my Savior. Your suffering may allow you to do the same for someone else.
Trials Can Be a Form of Discipline Intended to Produce Repentance
No Christian will ever experience the condemnation of God (Romans 8:1). However, Scripture explicitly teaches that God does discipline those who belong to Him. Hebrews 12:9–11 reminds us:
Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Sometimes trials are the consequences of our sinful choices and actions. Other times our adversities may not be directly traceable to a specific moment of disobedience, but God intends to produce greater holiness within us nonetheless.
God loves us too much to ignore any behavior or perspective that would push us away from Him. Like a loving father, He carefully and expeditiously works to correct us when we stray. Though this involvement in our lives can be painful at times, it proves God’s affection for us rather than His abandonment of us.
Excerpted with permission from Hope When Life Unravels by Adam Dooley, copyright Adam B. Dooley.
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Your Turn
Your pain has purpose. It has meaning. It’s not just random and it isn’t unknown to God, nor unseen by Him. God loves His children more than we could possibly comprehend. In the darkness of pain, look for the silver linings and thank the Lord! Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~Devotionals Daily
Wisdom for Today
“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15 13
Dose of Devotion 