Tag: affliction
Standing fast in the Lord!
Scripture reading for September 16: 1 Thessalonians 3
“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you–for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.” 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10
In the culture of our world, people are often very fickle. They may be enthusiastic about a cause or even about the Gospel presented in the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They start out well and with good intentions, but then Satan’s hinderances and attacks draw their heart back to their old ways. Their world view is that whatever feels good at the moment is what to do and follow. They naturally seek the easy route through life’s difficulties.
Paul had been informed that the Thessalonians had suffered great affliction and persecution. He was concerned that this affliction would send the new converts back to their old ways. He sent Timothy there to check on them and he brought good news of their faith and love for Paul and one another. They longed to see Paul again and were standing fast in faith. This report brought great joy and thanksgiving to Paul for God’s faithfulness and provision. Paul prayed all the more that God would allow him to return to them and see them face to face and further help them in their new life of faith. Reports of faithfulness bring comfort and encouragement to spiritual fathers and leaders. Praise our Lord!
In your own walk with Christ, have you ever allowed affliction or hardship to send you on a path away from faith? Have you ever been surprised by someone standing fast in faith in spite of many difficulties and hardships? What are some factors that help us to stand firm in faith in spite of suffering?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for strengthening the hearts of Your people through the Holy Spirit and preparing us all for suffering through Your Word and the example of past believers. As a pastor, help me to pray for those going through suffering and affliction and encourage them. Amen.
Overflowing generosity!
Scripture reading for September 27th: Zephaniah, Psalm 74, 2nd Corinthians 8
2nd Corinthians 8: 1-5 “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints–and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”
Paul commended the overflowing generosity of the Macedonian church in the face of severe persecution. These believers were filled with joy even in the midst of extreme poverty and gave extravagantly out of the little they had. They could only give out of their means but some gave beyond their means because of their faith in God and they demonstrated their faith through giving and even counting it a great favor to give for the relief of other believers who were also in need. Paul noted that they could do this only because they had truly given themselves to the Lord first and then they discerned God’s will to give to these needs.
Psalm 74:12-13 “Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. You divided the sea by Your might; You broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the joy and willingness to give reflected in these Macedonian churches that were under severe affliction and poverty. I see Christ Jesus in their generosity and compassion for others who were also suffering. Help me to overflow with generosity and joyful response to the needs of your people. I give myself and my possessions to You to bring You glory and work salvation on earth.
Zephaniah 2:3 “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do His just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.”
Comfort in afflictions!
Scripture reading for September 16th: Isaiah 60-63, 2nd Corinthians 1
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 1:2-5 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”
Paul wrote a second letter to the Corinthian church. As he greeted them, he offered grace and peace and blessing. He blessed God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, confessing faith in God’s great mercy and ability to comfort those in affliction. He lifted up Jesus as God’s Son and the One who suffered death for us. He spoke comfort to them in their afflictions for the sake of Christ. The comfort would flow in abundance from a ‘God of all comfort’!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your comfort in all affliction and trouble. May Your mercy and comfort flow through me and Your people to a hurting world today.
Isaiah 63:9 “In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”
Rich generosity!
Scripture reading for August 7th: 2nd Corinthians 8, Psalm 7, Proverbs 3
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 8:1-5 “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints–and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”
Paul shared with the Corinthians how he had encouraged the Macedonians to prepare an offering to be ready when he came again. He noted that they responded with great generosity in spite of severe trials and afflictions. Their giving was according to and beyond their means to give. They even begged Paul for the favor of giving this offering. They gave themselves as they gave their money and blessed God and His people.
Faith Confession: What a privilege it is to give to God and to His work and to praise Him with generosity! Lord help me to grow in the grace of joyful and generous giving, knowing how it blesses You and God’s people.
Psalm 7:17 “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His righteousness, and I will sing praise to the Name of the Lord, the Most High.”