November 17
Ezekiel 35:1-36:38; James 1:1-18; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 27:23-27
There are some passages in the Bible that cause us to scratch our heads; they are difficult to understand. And other verses, while clear in meaning, can be even much more difficult to act on. For example, James 1:2 tells us to "consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials of many kinds." The meaning of the command is clear, but what James calls for is exceptionally difficult to live out. Our typical reaction to suffering is to grumble, complain, whine, or even respond in bitterness. But the right, God-honoring action is to consider it … pure joy. Huh? How can James say that?
The key is perspective. We are to look beyond the moment and consider the future. Suffering—where we take hold of God in our weakness—produces perseverance. And the end product of perseverance is spiritual maturity and completeness. Further, hard times direct our attention to God’s wisdom, as well as the crown of life that waits for those who follow the Savior through today’s light and momentary troubles (see 2 Corinthians 4:17). So, whether we feel like Israel in exile which Ezekiel addresses, like the psalmist who speaks of when “cords of death entangled me”, or simply facing the daily struggles of life, we can look beyond to what God is going to produce through those things.
Father God, thank you that never leave me nor forsake me, even in the difficulties of life. Help me to see what you are doing in and through me, so that I can find joy in the midst of hardship. Amen.
Question: How can you learn to look beyond present difficulty to the future?
There are some passages in the Bible that cause us to scratch our heads; they are difficult to understand. And other verses, while clear in meaning, can be even much more difficult to act on. For example, James 1:2 tells us to "consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials of many kinds." The meaning of the command is clear, but what James calls for is exceptionally difficult to live out. Our typical reaction to suffering is to grumble, complain, whine, or even respond in bitterness. But the right, God-honoring action is to consider it … pure joy. Huh? How can James say that?
The key is perspective. We are to look beyond the moment and consider the future. Suffering—where we take hold of God in our weakness—produces perseverance. And the end product of perseverance is spiritual maturity and completeness. Further, hard times direct our attention to God’s wisdom, as well as the crown of life that waits for those who follow the Savior through today’s light and momentary troubles (see 2 Corinthians 4:17). So, whether we feel like Israel in exile which Ezekiel addresses, like the psalmist who speaks of when “cords of death entangled me”, or simply facing the daily struggles of life, we can look beyond to what God is going to produce through those things.
Father God, thank you that never leave me nor forsake me, even in the difficulties of life. Help me to see what you are doing in and through me, so that I can find joy in the midst of hardship. Amen.
Question: How can you learn to look beyond present difficulty to the future?
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