Your Daily Devotional for December 13, 2007

 

December 13,  2007

 

 

A Taxing Pressure

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."

 

Luke 2:5

 

 

Do you agree with the following statement: "If God asks you to do a specific task, there will be no pressure involved"?

 

Part of me wishes that statement were true! But, dear friend, it is not. First Peter 4:12 clearly gives you and me a "heads up" regarding life's pressures—even to those of us who are committed to following God's will, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you."

 

There is something in all of us that resists pressure. When your bank account is low, and there are bills to be paid, pressure begins to infiltrate your mind. When the boss needs a project done, and you are not sure you can make the deadline, a sense of pressure looms over your shoulders. When you do your best to raise a godly family, and a family member slips up, there is an unsaid pressure of living up to a model Christian family.

 

Naturally resisting pressure may be a first instinct, but know that all pressure is not bad, nor should it be resisted. Mary and Joseph were under enormous pressure in the midst of the most beautiful story recorded in the Bible. They were traveling to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. Imagine the pressure on Joseph! He was taking Mary away from her family and her home at a crucial time in her life, and he had no concrete promises with which to comfort her family—no promises of where they would stay, or how the baby would be delivered.

 

In the midst of pressure, sometimes it seems as if God is not working, but that is not true! In our eyes, when Joseph could not find vacancy in an inn, he had every reason to look upward and ask, "Why, Lord?" But he did not, and neither should we. During intensity, God is maturing us. He loves us that much! He allows us to go through uncertainty and sometimes "enormous" pressure so that we can strengthen our trust in Him and our relationship with Him.

 

Someone once said, "When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure" Through pressures come victories. If Joseph had not been willing to endure the pressures of traveling to Bethlehem by faith, our Christmas story would be drastically different! God used Joseph to accomplish part of His plan—the birth of His Son.

 

What of God's plan has not been accomplished because we were not willing to endure the pressure? God has specific jobs for you and for me to complete before we enter the gates of Heaven. What jobs have been on hold because of our lack of faith, or lack of trust in God? As you seek guidance and strength from the Lord, claim 2 Corinthians 9:10, "…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."  

 

Daily Bible Reading

Hosea 12-14 • Revelation 4

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