Day #25: Thursday, January 28th

Transformed Through Trials

Scripture References: John 16:32-33, Rom. 8:28-29, 1 Thess. 5:18, James 1:3-4

Devotional

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (Jn. 16:33)

God’s ultimate desire is that you experience His prosperity, rest, and quietness but it is often after or during a time of pressure, affliction, anguish, and trouble.  So many believers imagine that God has forsaken them during these time when in fact, His grace and provision are with us if we would only recognize the trouble for what it is - an opportunity to see the glory of God.  

Peter warned,

Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you." (1 Peter 4:12) 

Think of it:  God could have kept Joseph out of jail, kept Daniel out of the lion’s den, kept Jeremiah from being tossed into a slimy pit, kept Paul from being shipwrecked, and kept the Hebrew young men from being thrown into the blessing furnace, but He didn’t.  Trials present an opportunity for each of us to depend on God like never before. ​

We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.." (2 Cor. 1:9)

We going through trouble remember, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28-29)

“We know”
You can be certain that God’s promises will see you through and that your Heavenly Father is still in control.

“…that”
God’s power is on standby for any situation that you are facing.  He will see you through.

“All things”
God wants to be involved in bringing deliverance and provision to every area of your life.

“Work together”
You may not see His provision yet, but continue to trust because it will all work out.

And know this, that your circumstances are temporary, but your character will last forever.  A silversmith was asked, “How do you know when the silver is pure?”  When you have been refined by trials, people will be able to see Jesus’ reflection in you.  Since God intends to make you like Jesus, He will see you through the same experiences that Jesus went through, the same trials that Jesus said you would go through like loneliness, temptation, stress, criticism, rejection, and many others.  Despite the trouble Paul also said,

We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!” (Rom 8:17 MSG) 

​God’s Checklist:
Rejoice and give thanks.
1 These. 5:18 says, “ In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  In the middle of trouble, remember to rejoice and thank God for His miraculous provision.

Refuse to give up.
“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:3-4 NLT) Jesus gave us insight that troubles would come, God promised to see you through, so now, it is time for you to lean back and trust His Word and power to see your through this brief time of transformation.

Prayer

Lord, I know that you love me even when I find myself in difficult times.
I choose to depend on You like never before.
I know and have the surety that everything is going to work out.
In the meantime, I will rejoice and give thanks as I walk through the valley.
I will not give up because I know that you are with me.
Your provision and power are more than enough for me today.
In Jesus’ Name.