Memorize: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2 Corinthians 4:17
Devotional Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
Have you ever faced adversity, pain, or a terrible situation that you couldn’t understand and from which there seemed to be no escape? May be you’ve had trials, tests, and tribulations? Of course you have; it’s called life! They are not permanent. Those sufferings will turn to joy for you in the name of Jesus.
I know people who are disappointed with the Christian life because they thought faith promised an easy road or that it would exempt them from life’s hardships. But faith promises you and me no such thing.
What faith does, however, is help us handle our problems and adversities. Often we can’t change our circumstances, but we can change the way we respond to them.
Remember the beautiful song composed by John W. Peterson “It’s not an easy road, we are travelling to Heaven. .”
This song is a true reflection and reality of Christian journey, it is not an easy journey, there are troubles and trials, and many thorns on the way,
But, if we live in obedience to God, he’ll use adversity and those trials to move us forward. God uses adversity to accomplish His will through us!
I heard a saying from old veteran seasoned preachers when i was young – “they said the gospel thrives in adversity”
Adversity and trials of life produces possibilities that shows the greatness of our God. He promised never to leave you or forsake you, the LORD will turn all your sufferings to Joy and testimony in Jesus name.
For instance, why would God allow the apostle Paul, who was traveling the world spreading the gospel, to go to prison? While in prison, Paul wrote two-thirds of the New Testament! And concerning his prison experience Paul said, “What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel….”
Job did not commit any sin, yet he went through his own adversity. Our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ knew no sin, but God made him sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. The adversity that Jesus went through was for our sake, to make us righteous and pleasing to God, so that at the end we can inherit eternal life with God in Heaven.
Don’t despise adversity when it comes, but consider how God is at work. Your suffering today may advance the Kingdom of God tomorrow.
I pray that the LORD will help you to catch this very important revelation and give you the grace to accept it so that you will not lose your blessings when they come in form of adversity.
Be confident that God surely will not give you more than what you can take, and He will only allow it if he is sure the experience will lead to your blessing and promotion. May the LORD elevate you above your enemies in Jesus name.
Prayer point: O LORD, open my spiritual eyes to see beyond my adversity in Jesus name.
Key Dose: it takes spiritual understanding to identify the blessings hidden in adversity.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor (IHPCT)
