Daily Devotional for Thursday, April 27

The Commander’s Communication

“And he wrote a letter after this manner: Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman,” Acts 23:25-27.

In 1799, Conrad Reed discovered a seventeen-pound rock while fishing in Little Meadow Creek. Not knowing what it was made of, his family used it as a doorstop for three years. In 1802, his father, John Reed, took it to a jeweler who identified it as a lump of gold worth about thirty-six hundred dollars. That lump of gold, which was used as a doorstop for three years in North Carolina, is one of the biggest gold nuggets ever found east of the Rockies.
Until its composition was determined, its value was unknown. Even so, until the composition of our faith is determined, its strength is unknown. Paul’s faith was continually tested as he was tried for supposed crimes. His only true crime was preaching the gospel and even though he was being persecuted, he continued faithfully.
Paul lived as a great example for us to follow because of his faithfulness in the face of trial and tribulation. Many Christians seek for a life of comfort and ease as a testament to God’s goodness. But Scripture is filled with those who suffered simply because of their obedience to God. Paul showed us how to remain faithful to God despite any trials we may face.
With every trial Paul faced, his faith was strengthened to endure the next trial. This seems to be how God works in our lives to refine us for His purposes. Instead of pursuing comfort as a sign of God’s goodness to us, we ought to live obedient lives in preparation for what God will do next. Do not despise the difficulties that God allows to befall us, for they are simply strengthening us for His glory.

THOUGHT: God allows trials in our lives, not to hurt us, but to strengthen and prove us.

Steven Ridings