WHY THIS SUFFERING?
MAIN TEXT:
1 Peter 4:12 – 13:Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Matthew 5: 11 – 12 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Man by nature does not wish to undergo any form of suffering, so it’s quite normal when faced with challenges Christians ask God why? It is impossible to live through life without challenges. Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:7. Challenges are normal to life! God is not wicked and does not take joy in the suffering of his children. There is always a reason you are suffering right now. He allows it in order to test our faith; 1 Peter 1:7 (That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. He also permits us to suffer in order to mould our character (Hebrew 2:10). Beloved, don’t complain and murmur therefore when undergoing sufferings. Let us remember what the lord says in John 16:33 (These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.). It is all for a reason and shall end in praise!
THE PURITY OF GOLD CAN ONLY BE TESTED BY FIRE.
Prayer point- I pray that I will rejoice over every suffering in my life in Jesus name
BY BISHOP NGOZI DURUEKE (HE REIGNS CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL) To send your testimony, write us: mylivingwaterdevotional@gmail.com.