“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9, NLT)
Within a month after falling upon her knees and accepting Christ, a young mother visited her pastor. With tears in her eyes, she complained, “I accepted Christ, and then everything went wrong. My young son became ill, and I had to take off work to care for him. Then, my car broke down last week. Then, just two days ago, I was informed that I was required to leave for a week to attend a training seminar for my job. My son isn’t yet over his severe cold! Live seems overwhelming. Why me?”
Many Christians think that by becoming believers, challenges in life will lessen or disappear altogether. They surmise that if their relationship with God is tight, life will magically become perfect. Just a cursory view into the lives of the biblical saints proves that a false assumption.
In the book of Genesis, Joseph was faithful to God’s call. Then, he was sold into slavery, wrongfully accused, and imprisoned. Still, God did mighty acts through him, including saving his entire family during a drought. Moses didn’t have it easy either. When he began to have faith, he was cast out of Egypt by his royal family. Then, just when he had settled in Midian, God sent him back to Egypt to initiate the ten plagues! Jeremiah was put in stocks and ridiculed. Amos was publicly shamed for being a shepherd and farmer, and not a “real” prophet! Jesus even faced ridicule from the scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees. The Roman soldiers even chided Him and stole His clothes while crucifying Him! Though each of these people of our Bible were faithful, this did not stop the hurts, pains, grief, or torture.
That doesn’t mean that when you face difficulties, God doesn’t care or you aren’t faithful enough! Far from it! Today’s scripture alludes to that fact. 2 Corinthians 4:8 mentions that when “pressed on every side by troubles”, the faithful ones were “not crushed”. When put in difficulties, they were “not driven to despair”. Even when “hunted down” for persecution, God “never abandoned” them (2 Corinthians 4:9). The apostles of Jesus were “knocked down” but never knocked out. God was with them, not to prevent the suffering, but to walk with them through it. God never abandoned them. God was there to hear their prayers, help with their tears, and encourage them to soldier on.
I am surprised at the number of Christians who think that accepting Christ means an easy life. Even pastors can fall into that fairy tale! When you accept Christ, things may become more difficult. Friends may reject your faith stance. Satan may cause all sorts of mayhem. Doing right may cause friction. Making amends and forgiving others may shred your pride. But make no mistake, God will be with you all the way! God will bless your faith, watch your back, and prepare a place for you in His Kingdom!
I helped a young man on the road to become a pastor. He was young, but able. He was gifted as a teacher and preacher. In his early years of ministry, young people especially enjoyed his work. However, just two years into his ministry, things got rough at his church. Some older members were jealous of his attention to youth ministry. Then, a neighboring pastor began to steal his members. Then, COVID hit. After facing these and more problems, the young pastor approached me with the question, “Why is it so hard to be a pastor? Why are people mad at me for doing what God wants me to do? What am I doing wrong?”
After a short time of prayer and discernment, I explained to this young pastor how ministry is very difficult. I told him that the second he became a true Christian, Satan began to look for ways to trip him up. In essence, Satan has put a target on his back. Evil spirits will look for any weakness. Evil will attempt to shake him up or shut him down. He wasn’t just a pastor because he could preach and teach! He was called to be a pastor who held onto God tightly through thick and thin. He was called to be a pastor no matter the cost. He was called to be a pastor, even when people rejected him or Satan played games with his mind. He responded to me in an email, “I never imagined it would be this hard!”
Life has a way of throwing you curves, shaking you up, putting you in situations where you aren’t prepared. Despite it all, you need to hold onto Jesus. You can’t let evil win. You need to set aside your personal pride and desire for recognition in order to just be faithful in all circumstances (Philippians 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:18!!!!). Whether you are having a good day or a bad one, a joyful moment or a sad one, is God your focus and strength? Do you believe in the fairy tale that a blessed life is free from trials and temptations? I hope not. Do you think God will make everything easy for you? Some of your best learning may come when facing down problems!
Today’s scripture from 2 Corinthians is a reminder that life has ups and downs, but God will be there at the end of the day! He will be attentive to your prayers and be a balm for your soul. He has high hopes that through it all, you can be counted on to be faithful and true even when challenges come your way….
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, I do not know how many days I have yet to live. I do not know what trials will soon befall me. I can not assume how my others will react to my faith. I cannot tell the future as can You. My health can fail in an instant. Despite being in the dark in so many ways, I can still perceive Your light! I can sense Your presence! I enjoy the feeling of Your accompanying Holy Spirit!
I pray for our world today. There are terrible crimes being committed against my brothers and sisters in Christ! Those in Nigeria are being slaughtered. Satan is preying on the minds and values of those in the West. The war between Russia and Ukraine is stealing years away from those who are so very young. Lies are disseminated every minute of every day to people online. Governments prop up their stooges, while hiding their sinful activities. People use AI to tell them what is the truth and who to believe! All is not well in our world today!
Forgive us, dear Lord! Help us to see our errors. Show us the sinfulness of prideful thinking. Silence those who lie for a living. Keep watch over the faithful who hold to Your truth.
Thank You for Your love, for the prophets and saints, and especially for Jesus! Thank You for the Spirit that keeps me sane every day! Thank You for forgiveness and grace, without which we would be lost. Amen.
Many Christians think that by becoming believers, challenges in life will lessen or disappear altogether. They surmise that if their relationship with God is tight, life will magically become perfect. Just a cursory view into the lives of the biblical saints proves that a false assumption.
In the book of Genesis, Joseph was faithful to God’s call. Then, he was sold into slavery, wrongfully accused, and imprisoned. Still, God did mighty acts through him, including saving his entire family during a drought. Moses didn’t have it easy either. When he began to have faith, he was cast out of Egypt by his royal family. Then, just when he had settled in Midian, God sent him back to Egypt to initiate the ten plagues! Jeremiah was put in stocks and ridiculed. Amos was publicly shamed for being a shepherd and farmer, and not a “real” prophet! Jesus even faced ridicule from the scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees. The Roman soldiers even chided Him and stole His clothes while crucifying Him! Though each of these people of our Bible were faithful, this did not stop the hurts, pains, grief, or torture.
That doesn’t mean that when you face difficulties, God doesn’t care or you aren’t faithful enough! Far from it! Today’s scripture alludes to that fact. 2 Corinthians 4:8 mentions that when “pressed on every side by troubles”, the faithful ones were “not crushed”. When put in difficulties, they were “not driven to despair”. Even when “hunted down” for persecution, God “never abandoned” them (2 Corinthians 4:9). The apostles of Jesus were “knocked down” but never knocked out. God was with them, not to prevent the suffering, but to walk with them through it. God never abandoned them. God was there to hear their prayers, help with their tears, and encourage them to soldier on.
I am surprised at the number of Christians who think that accepting Christ means an easy life. Even pastors can fall into that fairy tale! When you accept Christ, things may become more difficult. Friends may reject your faith stance. Satan may cause all sorts of mayhem. Doing right may cause friction. Making amends and forgiving others may shred your pride. But make no mistake, God will be with you all the way! God will bless your faith, watch your back, and prepare a place for you in His Kingdom!
I helped a young man on the road to become a pastor. He was young, but able. He was gifted as a teacher and preacher. In his early years of ministry, young people especially enjoyed his work. However, just two years into his ministry, things got rough at his church. Some older members were jealous of his attention to youth ministry. Then, a neighboring pastor began to steal his members. Then, COVID hit. After facing these and more problems, the young pastor approached me with the question, “Why is it so hard to be a pastor? Why are people mad at me for doing what God wants me to do? What am I doing wrong?”
After a short time of prayer and discernment, I explained to this young pastor how ministry is very difficult. I told him that the second he became a true Christian, Satan began to look for ways to trip him up. In essence, Satan has put a target on his back. Evil spirits will look for any weakness. Evil will attempt to shake him up or shut him down. He wasn’t just a pastor because he could preach and teach! He was called to be a pastor who held onto God tightly through thick and thin. He was called to be a pastor no matter the cost. He was called to be a pastor, even when people rejected him or Satan played games with his mind. He responded to me in an email, “I never imagined it would be this hard!”
Life has a way of throwing you curves, shaking you up, putting you in situations where you aren’t prepared. Despite it all, you need to hold onto Jesus. You can’t let evil win. You need to set aside your personal pride and desire for recognition in order to just be faithful in all circumstances (Philippians 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:18!!!!). Whether you are having a good day or a bad one, a joyful moment or a sad one, is God your focus and strength? Do you believe in the fairy tale that a blessed life is free from trials and temptations? I hope not. Do you think God will make everything easy for you? Some of your best learning may come when facing down problems!
Today’s scripture from 2 Corinthians is a reminder that life has ups and downs, but God will be there at the end of the day! He will be attentive to your prayers and be a balm for your soul. He has high hopes that through it all, you can be counted on to be faithful and true even when challenges come your way….
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, I do not know how many days I have yet to live. I do not know what trials will soon befall me. I can not assume how my others will react to my faith. I cannot tell the future as can You. My health can fail in an instant. Despite being in the dark in so many ways, I can still perceive Your light! I can sense Your presence! I enjoy the feeling of Your accompanying Holy Spirit!
I pray for our world today. There are terrible crimes being committed against my brothers and sisters in Christ! Those in Nigeria are being slaughtered. Satan is preying on the minds and values of those in the West. The war between Russia and Ukraine is stealing years away from those who are so very young. Lies are disseminated every minute of every day to people online. Governments prop up their stooges, while hiding their sinful activities. People use AI to tell them what is the truth and who to believe! All is not well in our world today!
Forgive us, dear Lord! Help us to see our errors. Show us the sinfulness of prideful thinking. Silence those who lie for a living. Keep watch over the faithful who hold to Your truth.
Thank You for Your love, for the prophets and saints, and especially for Jesus! Thank You for the Spirit that keeps me sane every day! Thank You for forgiveness and grace, without which we would be lost. Amen.