Your Daily Devotional for September 7, 2007

 

September 7,  2007

 

 

Patience during Trials

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned."

 

2 Corinthians 6:4-6

 

 

The nineteenth-century preacher A.B. Simpson once commented on having longsuffering here on earth, "Beloved, have you ever thought that someday you will not have anything to try you, or anyone to vex you again? There will be no opportunity in heaven to learn or to show the spirit of patience, forbearance, and longsuffering. If you are to practice these things, it must be now."

 

Yesterday, we saw that one of the fruits of walking in the Spirit is longsuffering or patience. As we walk with God each day, we will begin to show certain fruits or attributes in our lives. It is not easy to have patience when things go wrong, but God desires that we would have patience during our trials.

 

God has a purpose for everything we go through in life and we must trust Him. Sometimes as we are in the midst of a trial we can fail to see God's purpose for it all, but as we are in His Word and trust Him, He will give us the patience and longsuffering we need during our trials.

 

One reason God brings trials or difficulties into our lives is for chastening. Hebrews 12:6-7 says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" Because God loves us, He is hurt when we stray away from Him. He does not want us to get hurt by the devil so He brings trials into our lives to draw us back to Him. We should not view these trials as the outpouring of God's wrath but of His love. When we are going through a trial, we must examine our lives to make sure there is nothing that would take us away from God.

 

Another reason God brings trials is to challenge us. Psalm 119:71 says, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Many times when we are in the midst of a trial, we will listen to God's Word more intently and will draw closer to Him. It is often during these times of trial when we will learn the most from God and His Word. As we go through trials, we must have patience and trust God's purpose.

 

Last, God brings trials into our lives to use us. Genesis 50:19-20 says, "And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Although Joseph may not have understood the trial he was in, God's purpose was to use Joseph. God often allows trials in our lives to mold and shape us for His special plan. We must not get bitter, but have patience and stay faithful to God during this time.

 

Are you going through a trial today? Do not become angry at God for your trial but look at it as a growing opportunity. Make sure there is no sin in your life that would bring about God's chastening. Also, stay faithful to God's Word and draw closer to Him. God has a purpose in each trial and we must continue to faithfully serve Him during these difficult times. Ask God to help you have patience and remain faithful to Him today.

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Proverbs 1-2 • 1 Corinthians 16

 

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