Daily Devotional For Saturday, November 11, 2023
Well, this weekend it seems Fall is finally going to arrive. We have had wonderful warm weather all week, but rain and cooler temps are here for Saturday and Sunday. Now, I am not auditioning for a weatherman's position. The truth is: this is life. All of sudden things are going well for you and out of nowhere, BAM!, life comes at you. Sometimes it is in the form of a medical report or a divorce or a death of a loved one or a loss of a job or some unforeseen financial cost. If you are a control freak, this will definitely freak you out.
Jesus said in John 16:33, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (NLT). Even though our Lord has warned us these things will happen to us and the people we love, we still act shocked and surprised. Because we are Christians, this does not give us some kind of sheild of protection. Christians are marytred every day for their faith. So, when these things happen to us, they can shake our foundation but they do not have to destroy it.
Jesus talked about this in Matthew 7:24-27, "Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. (25) Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. (26) But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. (27) When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash" (NLT).
What is your foundation? Money? Health? Status? Position? Power? Or is it Jesus Christ? There is an old hymn we sing: On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand. Why? Because all other ground is sinking sand. This is why we must make Jesus Christ our first choice, not our last option. Those who have a deep and growing relationship with Jesus Christ are not "sunk" by the unexpected and painful events of life. Why? They know God.
This is why the Apostle Paul could write these words in 2 Corinthians 4:7-11, "We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. (8) We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. (9) We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. (10) Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. (11) Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies" (NLT).
How could the Apostle Paul write this living in those kind of circumstances? He personally knew and trusted Jesus Christ. How about you? When life throws you a "curve ball," or an unexpected painful and shocking experience, how do you react? Do you blame God or do you believe God?
Love you, Pastor Kelly
Meditate on this verse: Proverbs 24:16, "For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity" (ESV).
Pray This Prayer: Dear Jesus, I know that life is not fair. I know the "enemy of my soul," the devil, will attempt everything he can to destroy my faith and trust in You. I will not succumb to his attacks. Jesus, You are my Rock and my fortress. Thank you. Amen!"