Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance. Romans 5:1-3

The other day, at a church potluck dinner I met a new member of my church who has an interesting job. He holds a position in "quality control" at a company, which makes telephones. It was fascinating to hear how they subject their product to withstand intense cold and heat, dropping, banging and abuse.

In every way imaginable, they torture those phones to find the exact point they will break. The company wants to find the weakest link, so they can build a better and more reliable instrument.

At the conclusion of the old year, I think we ought to look back and see how the Lord has allowed us to be placed into some pretty unusual and uncomfortable situations. Having done so, the next step is to realize those problems have come to us to accomplish a Divine purpose.

Those things came to us so the Lord might help us to learn. He was trying to help us become better than we ever would have been, if we had experienced a life filled only with ease and plenty.

Now, I know it's hard to believe, when we feel we are being pushed past our limit, that God is working for our own good, but it's true. Our caring Lord who sent His Son to save us wants you and me to be the best we can be. From all the staff at Lutheran Hour Ministries, we pray God grant you a blessed New Year.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Almighty God, it is through suffering that You shape us into vessels fit for Your purposes. We rejoice when hardship increases our reliance on You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Malachi 3-4    Revelation 22

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