July 21, 2022 WALKING THROUGH
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me.”
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulations, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
One undisputable fact is that we have troubles, trials and afflictions in this life. Some have a tendency to say or imply “Trust Jesus as your Savior and everything will be fine.” In heaven, everything will be fine, but here on earth we have difficulties-Jesus forewarned us of that in John 16:33. If we expect not to have trials, or at least, not many trials and not severe trials, we feel disappointed and overwhelmed when they come. I am not suggesting that we have a ‘doomsday’ or ‘expecting the worse’ mindset; but just realize that we are not exempt from difficulties, knowing God will comfort us and give us grace to endure. Most of us have heard it so often said that God uses trials for our good, that we do not really hear it-if you know what I mean. However, whether we understand it or not, God does use the difficult times for our good; it is often in the trials that we grow spiritually. Personally, there have been times in trials that I came to the place that all I could do was acknowledged to God that I had no power to change anything and that He was the potter and I was the clay; I felt totally helpless, but He was faithful comfort and enable me to endure. Someone said “If you are walking through a storm, keep walking.” Note that we ‘walk through the valley’-we don’t camp out there or get stuck there. Our posture should be one of trusting God when the trying times come; and should remember that this world is not our home but that we will soon be with the Lord where there are no troubles and trials. So, in the trial, be honest with God and tell Him how you feel and confess your need for His strength and comfort that you might endure and overcome the trial. It’s important for us to cry out to God in time of need. His promises never fail.
Romans 14:8 “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
James 1:2-4 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
2 Corinthians 2:4 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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