Daily Devotional for Monday, April 15

Paul Remembers His Visit

“For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know,” 1 Thessalonians 3:4.

Country singer Lynn Anderson sang a great song entitled “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” She was telling that some bad times would inevitably come along with the good times. One line said, “Along with the sunshine there’s gotta be a little rain sometime.” That is a good analogy for the Christian life in many ways.

God does bring the rain to our lives in many forms. Through His loving-kindness, He also offers us the opportunity for eternal salvation and eternity in His presence. On the other hand, the Lord only promises to work His plan for our lives, not that we will always find it pleasant or easy. Paul warned of that in our text verse. No one has worked to carry out God’s plan with more energy than Paul; yet, we know Paul suffered a lot over the years and was ultimately executed for his faith.

God does not allow or even bring trials into our lives because He is trying to harm us. His great love means He always has our welfare in mind. The thing is, what is best for us will always be what God has planned. When trials come, it is not to harm us but to accomplish God’s plan. Perhaps we just need some of redirection. We may need to learn to mature in a particular area, and a trial is the best way to teach us. We do not always know why. But we can understand it is best to stick with God’s plan. The only question is whether we are working on our plan or His plan. The chances are that we will be miserable if it is our plan. If it is His plan, we are likely full of joy.

JUST A THOUGHT
Tribulations may seem unpleasant, but if they are God’s plan, and we accept that, they can also bring great joy.

Wally Fry