Daily Devotional for Wednesday, November 23

Crown of Life

The Israelites had trekked through the wilderness for forty years. Because of a lack of faith, a whole generation had died. Their children conquered Jericho, Ai, then, city after city across Canaan. After a long time, their leader Joshua called them all together. It seems a problem had cropped up along the way. The people had begun to worship the gods of the land. They had become friends with the enemies of God. So, God left the remaining people in the land to test them. The objective measured by the test was clear, “That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not” (Judges 2:22). 

Much like God’s people in the wilderness, God allows us to experience trials throughout our life. It is a test. It is designed to prove whether we will do life God’s way. For the one who has never experienced the grace of our Lord, the Lord will use the tests of this life to help guide them to an understanding of their need to call upon Jesus for salvation. The question is always the same. Will you accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross of Calvary for your sin? For the believer, the test to be endured is more in line with the Israelites’ test in Canaan. Will we walk in the way of the Lord? After enduring this life of trial, loving the One who loved us first, the believer has this promise, the crown of life eternal. Of all the decisions that you make on a daily basis the most important one of all is, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” Matthew 27:22.

REFLECTION: Will you endure the test of life to prove your love for Jesus today?

David Thompson