Devotionals
Our perfection-God’s style
God, Who is always perfect in everything He does, desires the same from us too.
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 NKJV
Irrespective of the circumstance we are in, God always has a wonderful plan and purpose for us, when He blesses us and even when He corrects us.
When God’s people were in bondage, this is hos God tells them of His plan and purpose for them.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:…………………. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:4, 11 NKJV
Why does the Lord use tough ways to perfect us?
We belong to Him
“You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.”
Hebrews 12:4-8
God is our Father and we are His children and thus as a good and loving Father Who always seeks our welfare, the Lord in His desire for our perfection often chastises us. God’s correction in our lives proves this: He loves us, cares for us and seeks our good always.
The practicality of life-presence of evil-yet God is always with us
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4 NKJV
Life often presents to us circumstances and situation similar to that of the valley of death, yet in all of these we will not be discouraged or fear any evil. For ‘HE IS ALWAYS THERE WITH US.’ In these difficult situations, the Lord teaches us that we can overcome all our struggles and will always be victorious for He is with us, for us, to help us and deliver us.
We need to return to the Bible
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.”
Psalm 119:71 NKJV
Our busy schedule has stolen from us our time and liberty with the Word of God, from being a student of the Word of God, we have now become someone who just glances or quickly flips through the Bible for a quick Word of encouragement. The Word of God from being our daily food has now become a medicine which is sought after in times of crises and heartbreaks. Thanks to the afflictions from the Lord and our hard times, for they encourage us to go back to God’s Word and receive comfort, solace and strength.
To be perfect enough to encourage others
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
James 1:2-4 NKJV
James, the brother of Jesus blessedly encourages us to be joyous in our various trials, for they are leading us to be perfect and will make us an example for many to know how the Lord perfects those He loves.
To access our integrity and faithfulness towards God
But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23:10
The hard times of life often tests our worth. Job in the Bible endured severe trials, yet he knew his integrity and the goodness of the Lord God and thus he boldly confesses that when the Lord would have tested him, he will come forth as gold.
God is not destroying us, rather making us anew.
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
Isaiah 48:10
Our trials and hardships are not to destroy us, but rather to transform us. As the silversmith throws away the dross from the silver, God does not throw us, rather He works in us for our transformation, for our renewal. This furnace of affliction from the Lord are to transform us to be the best we could ever be.
He is ensuring our eternity with Him:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NKJV
Finally if these present hardships can help us be transformed to be worthy of eternity in heaven then we should be happy that God is helping us to receive the reward of eternal life.
God is good and all He does is good and for our welfare and thus, let’s be happy when He corrects and rejoice in His chastisements.
God Bless,
Abraham
http://www.abrahampulickal.com/
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