Daily Devotional

I know there are several different reasons why we go through suffering. One because we are being reprimanded for our own sinful folly, one because Satan wants to turn us away from trusting God and another is to teach us to do just the opposite, to obey and trust God. As hard as it might be, obedience and trust are probably best learned in the midst of suffering. It’s when we find out if we want to truly believe and rely on God. Christ was our great example of this. And it is incredible that the Lord would first of all humble Himself and allow Himself to be put in a place of suffering. I mean think of it…that is a tremendous act of obedience. I have never thought of suffering as an act of obedience, but it is. And the reward on the other side of that cross is perfection. And that perfection is what initiated our salvation. What an example. I have never forgotten one of the things Pastor Kenton said one time when he preached on suffering. He said, “Don’t try to get out of it too soon, you want to make sure you have received all of what the Lord wants to teach and perfect in you.” My prayers are usually “Lord, take this from me.” And I’m so glad that Jesus prayed this same prayer in the garden regarding His crucifixion. But His next words reveal the heart and intent of his obedience and what many times I neglect to add…”Not My will but Yours be done.” (Lk. 22:42) 
 
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
Is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…”
2 Cor. 4:17

Lord, help me to look for your desired obedience as I experience suffering. Let my heart say and give me the strength to obey, ‘Not my will, but Yours be done.’”
 
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.