The Book of Revelation Devotions Day 73

DAY 73

Suffering doesn’t sound good to anyone. There are certainly different kinds of suffering and what may be hard for one person may not bother another, so there is no use comparing suffering. The one thing that we do need to remember is that God has the final word in our suffering. The important thing when we face trials in our lives is that we turn to God. Now ideally, we are already walking with Him and there is no need to turn any direction because we are already facing Him. But, since we are human and we wander/drift, we need to make sure that our focus is on Jesus when we face suffering.

Many have a hard time believing that God could love them and allow suffering. Others say that He doesn’t cause it and all suffering comes from living in a fallen world. The truth is that suffering does happen because we live in a fallen world; AND suffering happens because we follow Christ Jesus who suffered. Both things are true.

Regardless of the reason, God allows suffering to produce in us character and fruit, if we turn toward Him in our suffering. He will use it for our good and His glory, IF we turn to Him in it.

1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 4:12-16 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

SO although it is very hard to see suffering as an opportunity, let us lean in to Jesus and glean what we can from the suffering we face. Let suffering produce in us character that is needed for what is ahead in the plan for us. Most of all, if we lean in to Jesus during our suffering we will grow in our relationship with Him and THAT is the endgame for us. Remember Jesus IS all we need to succeed. If our suffering brings us closer to Him then we are making good progress no matter what our circumstances appear to be like.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.

Jesus, help me to always keep my eyes fixed on you. Regardless of what is going on in my life or the world around me, help me to keep my eyes on you. Help me to remember that you will use for good all the things that the enemy means for evil. Help me to realize in the middle of trials that you are all I need. Help me to walk with you in the midst of troubles, not just occasionally reach for you. Thank you for being patient with me and loving me the way you do Jesus.