
"It was good for me to be afflicted." Psalm 119:71
None of us are fond of trouble. We look upon trouble as an intruder. We do not court trouble. We seek to avoid it. Yet the psalmist says: "It was good for me to be afflicted." Lives that are void of trouble usually are humdrum, shallow, stagnant. They lack salt.
Christian lives are not void of trouble. The Lord tells His followers that they will experience trials that will try their very souls. They will cry out in the agony of their soul: "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2). They seek refuge in God's promises, power, and love. They dig deeply into the Scriptures. They crowd the throne of God with their prayers as they confess: "Other refuge have I none." And God answers in His own way and at His own time to make all things work together for their good. The clouds soon pass; the sun shines again. Their faith is strengthened, their hopes are brighter, and a new song is on their lips.
Thorough their troubles Christians are helpful to others who are in trouble. Remember that in the Lord's service "only wounded soldiers will do." So the Lord equips us for better service to others wounded in life's battles.
PRAYER: Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side. Amen.
(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996 (out of print), Concordia Publishing House. For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 19-20 2 Corinthians 7
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File As"