Sometimes it seems as if the trials we face in life never really end. You’re either beginning one, in the middle of one, or just ending a season of difficulties. Whether it’s relational, financial, physical, or spiritual, it can be very draining and certainly discouraging. Also, problems don’t just happen in a vacuum, there are always new emergencies and troubles to deal with that make life even more difficult.
Yet God is ALWAYS good! This may be a difficult truth to accept, especially while you’re going through a trial, but it’s one that you need to cling to if you want to make it through. It’s also helpful to remember this principle: “The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.”
Take some time and read 1 Samuel 27:1-8. David had been anointed king of Israel by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:11-13), while the present king, Saul, was still alive. David didn’t have it easy. In addition to waiting years for God to give him the throne, King Saul wanted to kill him and anyone else who helped him in anyway. How do you think David felt to be unwanted in his homeland and rejected even by the Philistines?
One cannot blame David for despairing, because everything was going wrong. He was unfairly targeted by King Saul, driven from his homeland, rejected by his new neighbors, constantly under threat of attack, his family was taken captive, and his people were turning on him. If there was ever a moment for David to wonder what God was doing, this was it. Yet, David did what we all should do when the dark moments of life overwhelm us.
1 Samuel 30:6 reads, “David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” Instead of doubting God, David spent time in His presence, reminding himself of the mighty God that he trusted and served.
Gods chose David to be king of Israel before David ever occupied the throne. God first had to prepare David to honor Him in everything that he did. There was never any question that God would keep His promise to David, no matter how David doubted or suffered. All of the trials David faced merely strengthened his faith for the challenges to come.
Trials are confusing and are never easy to bear. But God uses them to develop important character traits in your life, and you can profit from your troubles if you will trust Him. David did, and he passed the tests of faith. God taught David through affliction, and He is teaching you as well.
You may wonder, “Why does it have to be so painful?” Unfortunately, there are no simple answers because God’s discipline and instruction are unique to each person. God must get your attention, teach you to turn only to Him, and train you to minister to others who have profound hurts, and usually that requires touching an area deep within your soul. However, you can know for sure that He is doing something immensely important in and through you. God would never allow you to suffer without a significant reason or permit your trouble to continue a minute more than necessary.
Therefore, don’t run from your problems. Face them with faith in God, knowing that He will not give you more than you can bear.
So I ask you, “How will you live out the
principle I shared with you at the beginning of this devotional?” Are you experiencing a dark, difficult time right now? Do you need relief that only God can give? How can you strengthen yourself in the LORD as David did and encourage others to do the same? Spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life so that you can affect the world around you for the sake of God’s kingdom.
Remember:
- God has put a limit on all adversity (Lam. 3:31-33).
- Adversity is God’s tool for building godly character in us (Romans 5:3-4).
- Adversity usually comes in the areas where we feel the most confident (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
- God’s ultimate design is to conform you to the likeness of Jesus (Romans 8:29).
(Much of this devotional was from Dr. Charles Stanley’s book, 30 Life Principles)