DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: JULY 29 FAINT NOT IN DAYS OF ADVERSITY (2) SCRIPTURE: 2 COR. 12: 7 – 10; 13: 5; PSA. 3: 4
In the discussion on this topic yesterday, we were told that faith-strength of any Christian is discovered when such is passing through adversities. Adversities are hostile and unfavourable conditions. The Revised Standard Vision Bible (British and America) use many words for adversity. These include things that causes falling, distress, harmful event, etc. it covers whole range of misfortune, poverty, sorrow, trouble and others. All these are agents which reduces peoples’ courage, faith, hope, moral and spiritual strengths. They cause backsliding in Christians. Reason we will not faint under them.
Today’s devotional encourages Christians to use adversity for faith motivation and trusting in God. Apostle Paul had adversity which he referred to as “thorn in the flesh.” He did not allow such to stop him from the works of the gospel. He prayed for it to be taken away, but when God answered him that His grace is sufficient; Paul became motivated. Apostle Paul would say later that “…he will rather glory in his infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon him (2 Cor. 12: 7 – 10). We have to know from Paul, that adversity should first motivate us to crying out to God in prayers. The Psalmist said: “The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of their troubles” (Psa. 34: 17 KJV). He also said: “I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill” (Psa. 3: 4 KJV).
Adversity should also motivate us to reverencing God. That is being mindful not to offend Him while going through tribulations and trails of life. Departing from God in the days of adversities is same as fainting. The more the adversities the more we should strengthen our faith. David asked his spirit to rejoice in the Lord in time of his adversity. Job said that even if God slays him, yet will he trust God (Job 13: 15). Adversity also comes with a call for self-examination. At time when we err, God opens a little space for the enemy to “pinch” us a little. When this happens, we are to check our good relationship with God to see if we are still in the faith (2 Cor. 13: 5). I pray today that adversity we are inside these days, especially in Nigeria, should motivate us to getting closer to God than ever before. The beloveth, faint not!
PRAYER:
LORD JESUS, I no longer view my adversities as much problems. I pray you grant me strength to be motivated in doing works of righteousness.
POSITIVE DECLARATION:
LORD JESUS, I have made up my mind to follow. I wait to see your Salvation. Amen!!!
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch
