ICS Daily Devotions
Identifying the Source of Our Trials and Tribulations
The Christian walk is a not a 100m dash but a marathon with lots of obstacles, detour, temptation and challenges along the way that can discourage us. We will be tempted to quit if we think that Christianity is a set of law without the foundation of love but God’s love for us is an unconditional love.
Hebrews 12:5,6 – My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him, For whom the Lord loves He chastens…
Every form of discipline has to be done out of the foundation of love and not out of anger, frustration or rage. There is always protection when we abide in God and His love for us. When we are living a life of disobedience away from God’s protection, the devil can attack us and the Lord has to chastise us in order to bring us back to the fold.
God is not the source of all of troubles and God does not use it in order to disciple us. God has judged sin on the cross and Jesus has redeemed us with His blood and therefore, God’s wrath on sin has been satisfied. We have a position of rest that we have peace with God through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:21 – Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
If God taught the earthly fathers not to discourage their children, how can God be giving us tribulation, calamities and trials to discourage us? Trials and tribulations are from the devil and that why we have to put on the full armor of God against the devil!
We are encouraged to endure all kinds of temptation and persecution for our faith and should not be alarmed by it especially when we are living in the end times.
1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
The devil wants us to abandon our faith in God by putting us through trials and tribulations but when we know that these are from the devil, we will stand firm and will mature in Christ to be more Christlike with the help of the Holy Spirit. We should be joyful because we are able to witness the work of God in our lives and that God is dealing with us as we are the children of God.
Sermon Series: Finishing Well
