October 17, 2021
“For what credit is it if when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it, you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this, you have been called because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.”
1 Peter 2:20-22. (ESV)
There is one thing we as Believers in Christ can count on in this journey called life is that Adversity will come. God never promised us a rose garden and that we will cruise through life without adversity. He did promise He would be with us in our difficulties, disappointments, afflictions, disasters, failures, hard times, hurts, miseries, bereavement, calamities, misfortunes, sufferings, tragedies, trials, tribulations, and troubles. The adversities of life often come unexpectedly, and sometimes after repeated warnings.
The Apostle Peter is reminding us that this suffering is all part of what God has called you to Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. He is saying the adversities of your life may be a sign that you are being faithful to God.
Adversity literally means “something acting against you. Be mindful that Satan is our adversary, our enemy, and he will try to stop us from following God and anyone who is doing good and right. We can also be mindful that the adversities of our lives may be temporarily uncomfortable or permanently disabling, even life-threatening or life-taking. However, remember some of the adversities of our lives are merely higher hurdles over which we can climb with a little more effort, while others permanently wound us, and we must find a way to triumph despite them.
We as Believers in Christ should not try to avoid trouble or the adversities of life. That may not be the best for you. They may bruise you or even hurt you! REMEMBER, God is Sovereign and what He allows in your life, when you are faithful to the Word of God, it will build you up and strengthens you in your walk of faith with Christ.
How can we read our Bibles and feel nothing bad will ever happen to us. It is so easy for us to keep rehearsing and whining over WHAT HAPPENED! It’s boring! God wants us to GROW from all that happens to us!
In the first chapter of James 1:2-3, he reminds us that whenever trouble comes our way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
The Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:7-11. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Interestingly, Paul did not consider death to be the end. He is looking on beyond. Nowhere is this concept more clearly presented than in the Bible, which makes it clear that God himself sometimes sends adversity either as a punishment for sin or simply as a way to test and strengthen our character.” Halleluiah!!
A dynamic Christian life begins with one’s view of God. Adversity is not our greatest enemy.
GOD USES ADVERSITY TO EXPOSE US TO WHAT WE TRULY ARE!
RX: AN ENDURING 
HEART. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6. “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (NKJV).
HOW IS YOUR WALK THROUGH THE FURNACE OF ADVERSITY?
FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your WORD that reminds us who we are in You! Help us to be faithful in our walk with You through the furnace of adversity. Help us to be patient as You work in our hearts, refining us as fine gold to shine for Your glory, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!
