God is good

THE TEACHING OF ADVERSITY

"In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling ... " (Psalm 91:1, lO)-the place where you are at one with God.

If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." He is saying, "There is nothing for you to fear." The same people who refused to talk about their adversi- ties before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.

God does not give us overcoming life-He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are Willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment-"To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life ... " (Revelation 2:7). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow" or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can "be of good cheer" even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.

AUGUST 2

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

I read this last Monday night while I was laying in bed. Thinking over Chambers words; agreeing that many think that being Christian means all of life's hardships go away. Knowing that they don't, the Lord just puts them in perspective and gives you the strength to face them. But do I face them with good cheer? No. Not even the little ones much less the big ones. I had no idea the news I was going to get the next morning.

God is good. Even in losing my oldest and dearest friend God is still good. He has been working vigorously in my life over the last several months knowing that the way I react to her passing would be much different if I were not different. My point is, yes God is mysterious (for he only knows why he called her home) but He is equally in plain sight. For every moment I spend in His presents I feel peace and comfort. God is awesome. He worked in my heart up until moments before I received the call. For I know that Lord is good and trust in his plan. I thank Him for being so plainly in sight for me at this time in my life.