Do, you, trust, God, with, your, pain?
BIBLE MEDITATION
"And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison,
commanding the jailer to keep them securely.He put them into the inner
prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas
were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to
them."
(Acts 16:23-25)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
A lot of people are suffering-people whose bodies are being devoured by some
malady; a lady with children whose husband just walked out, people whose
world is upside-down. They need Thanksgiving more than anyone else. But it
would be a mockery to say, "Oh, cheer up. We'll just paint the clouds with
sunshine. God's in His heaven; all's right with the world."
God's in His heaven, yes-but all's not right in this world. Many people are
hurting. But we need to remember, the Bible says "In everything give thanks,
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
That doesn't mean give thanks for cancer or a child who's just been run over
and killed. Oh no. But in the midst of this we say, "God, You are greater
than all of this. Your providence has either allowed it or brought it to
pass. Lord, I'm just trusting You and praising You because You're all I
have. My eyes are on You. And, Lord, I praise You that You will make a way
for me." This is not only an attitude that shows humility, but it shows
great faith when we praise God in these circumstances.
Jesus, fully human, wept. He's moved with compassion when we suffer. He is a
tender, compassionate Savior.
ACTION POINT
Nothing comes to us but what He allows, and He will never, ever, leave us
nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Praise God even in the hard times. Your
praise even in the darkest hour brings Him even more glory. Decide that you
will praise Him today.
