Reasons Behind Trials

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday January 29, 2017

Topic: Reasons Behind Trials

Text: Deuteronomy 8:1 – 3  

There are reasons God allows us to pass through tests and trials. We don’t go through them without a purpose. In the book of Job, we saw that all the problems, losses and sickness that came upon Job were to test his fidelity unto God because He had boasted to Satan that Job was ever faithful to Him. When Job was going through them, he never knew that what came upon him were tests. He endured them to the shame of Satan, thereby proving God faithful. Thereafter, God restored all that he lost.

The trial of Job is an eye opener for us never to become unfaithful to God when we are in problem. We should remain focused because God may have allowed that problem; death of a benefactor, sickness, gang up against you in the office, etc, as a way of trying our faith.

In our text, Moses told the Israelites that they should remain faithful and obedient to God because when He took them through the wilderness, it was aimed at humbling them so as to know what was in their hearts, whether they would keep His commandments or not. In the process of humbling them, He allowed them to go hungry, and fed them with manna which they didn’t know nor did their fathers know. This issue of manna was to make them know that man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Remember the case of Paul in 2 Corinthians 12: 7 – 9. That problem made Paul not to exalt himself above measure. All we pass through in life are for lessons and experiences; go through them faithful and God will certainly reward you at the end.

Food for Thought: God permits tribulations to come upon us which He turns to our advantage and to the glory of His name.

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 8 verse 3 - And He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Prayer: God, turn tribulations I am facing to my advantage and to your praise, and glory in Jesus name. Amen.

BE THE SPOUSE IN NEED: Devotion Friday September 23, 2016

BE THE SPOUSE IN NEED: Devotion Friday September 23, 2016

Text: Job 2:9 – 10              Memory verse: v 10

As I was writing yesterday’s devotion, God ministered to me about the reaction of Job’s wife here by referring me to what happened between Jesus and Peter in Matt 16:21–23, the late opposed the former after announcing that He will be crucified, buried and after three days, resurrect. When Satan and his agents want to tempt someone, they usually use a close friend or ally. This was the reason he used Judas, a disciple of Jesus Christ to betray his Master. If it were any of His accusers like the Pharisees or Sadducees, it would have been hard to get Him. Watch out because it is always the rat in house that tells the one outside where there is fish in the house. This should be a lesson for us that not all who oppose us actually hate us.

Satan was actually bent on destroying Job. After he had tried every other means at his disposal and could not succeed in getting Job to discredit and curse God, he decided to go through his wife. His thought was that his wife could easily make him angry. His aim was to use his wife to achieve what he could not achieve. This incident between Job and the wife is a lesson for us that sometimes Satan is a lesson that when suddenly someone in love with us suddenly changes and attacks us, we should know that Satan is at work to separate two of you.  

The area of concentration in this devotion is our attitude to our spouses in time of need. The mention of Job’s wife was in the chapter two. Nothing was said about her again. Probably, she left Job in his distress but we weren’t told he remarried.  

During matrimony, spouses made vows like this:  “I take you to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death according to God’s holy law. This is my solemn vow.” Why do some bolt out of it when problem arises? Do you belong to the group that will want to bolt away from your marital vows? Think twice. God hates divorce. You should be with your spouse in time of need too because that is the vow you have made. Breaking it is a sin against God.

Food for Thought: Are you a spouse or friend in need and indeed?

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep to the vows I have made in my relationship so I will become a spouse/friend in need and indeed.

ESSENCE OF TRIALS: Devotion for Monday April 18, 2016

ESSENCE OF TRIALS: Devotion for Monday April 18, 2016      

Text: James 1:12      Memory verse: v 12

Here, James shows the reasons and reward of passing through trials faithfully. As athletes persevere in training in order to improve their abilities and endurance for competition, so Christians persevere in spiritual training as they patiently endure testing that will bring maturity and completeness. Most times, today’s trials are training when we face tomorrow’s challenges. The way to get into God’s winner’s circle is to love Him and stay faithful even under pressure. James noted that there is always an ample reward for us. The reward is crown of life. James asserts that a Christian, who is patient and endures trials and afflictions in this life, shall certainly be rewarded with a crown of life.

We should note that it is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and constancy endures all difficulties that comes his way. Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if they don’t come as a result of our fault. A tried Christian shall be crowned if he endures till the end. Every soul that truly loves God shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect. What are you currently suffering because of your faith? Are you in prison now because of the crime you didn’t commit? God is not asleep. Your vindication and reward will surely come. Note that “God has one Son without sin, but he never had a son without trial” according to Charles Spurgeon.

Food for Thought: “A trial is an experiment or search made upon a man, by some affliction, to prove the value and strength of his faith” – Henry.

Prayer: Almighty God, strengthen me never to lose my faith in time of trials for there is always a blessing when one endures trials.     

DON’T BE HELD BACK: Devotion for Friday April 1, 2016

DON’T BE HELD BACK: Devotion for Friday April 1, 2016

Text: Luke 15:17 – 21              Memory verse: v18

One major problem of many people today is fear of making a trial. This has resulted in most people unable to reach the summit of their career or achieve their life’s dream. There are many too, whose pass has glued them to a place or certain level of achievement that they find it difficult to progress further. In 2 Kings 7 is a story of 4 lepers who dared what healthy men were afraid to do. They entered the enemy’s territory in search of food. God honoured their faith and they were not only successful but unselfish about what God did for them. Their leprous condition would have deterred them. But no! They went ahead. What are those things you see as hindrance in your life? What are the things holding you back from venturing? God is telling you today that you can and should go ahead. Don’t limit yourself.

In our text is the well known story of the Prodigal Son. He did not allow his sin against his father to hold him back from returning to him. He knew that going back to the father is the best opportunity left for him. Though he considered his sins, he decided to move ahead. At last he got a surprise of his life. Beloved, have you been held back by fear, sin or intimidation of the devil? Have you given up repentance because you feel that your sins are too much? Why then did Jesus come to the world? Is it not to save sinners? Don’t be held back by your past. Forge ahead. As we enter this new month, I urge you to lose every chain that has hitherto held you back. Step out and surely you will step into your miracles of salvation, healing, deliverance and success.

We wish you a happy new month!

Food for Thought: What are the things holding you back from moving ahead?

Prayer: Lord God, open my eyes to whatsoever is holding me back deliver me from them in Jesus name.