We watch the news and wonder what happened to our nation. We see evil celebrated, biblical truth rejected, and hostility toward Christianity increasing. Even in our own lives, disappointments, unanswered prayers, and difficult circumstances can leave us asking, “Why isn’t life better than this?”
But what if our discouragement points to something deeper?
Today’s readings reveal two very different responses to hardship. Israel had God’s miraculous provision every day, yet remained dissatisfied. The early church faced intense persecution, yet experienced remarkable joy as the gospel spread.
What’s the difference?
And could the secret to lasting peace and contentment have far less to do with our circumstances than we imagine?
Most of us would say that finding joy in trials is next to impossible, and yet, the Bible commands us to do just that! How is that possible and how can we grow in that ability?
Also, today, do you find yourself praying about the same struggles day after day and week after week … sometimes year after year. Are you tempted to give up or do you feel like you have simply failed God?
Are you going through some difficulty? Are the things of this world pressing in? Do you feel like God isn’t even listening? Meditate on today’s reading in Psalm 30 … joy will come!
Also, read about the mouth of the righteous and the words of the perverse. And from our New Testament reading, how even the disciples struggled to understand some of the things Jesus taught them.
How do you view the Word of God? As the commands and revelation of the Creator of heaven and earth or something that is merely “interesting” to you … one more opinion in a list of options for making decisions and solving life’s problems? Is the Bible full of commands and principles to live by or merely divine suggestions? Is it a standard or the standard by which you weigh everything?
Before you answer … you might ask yourself if, when talking about some Biblical command or principle, you’ve ever said:
I tried that. It just didn’t work.
Well, I just believe …
I know what the Bible says, but …
We live in a different world.
Philippians 1.6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
What a great promise! We can be confident, not in ourselves that we’ll somehow make it to the end, but if we belong to Him, He will finish the work He has started in us. God Himself is the guarantor of His promises.
