March 8

Morning

strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. — Acts 14:22 BSB

God’s people will face trials. It was never God’s intention for His chosen ones to be free from hardship. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction, not for a life of worldly peace and joy. Freedom from pain and suffering was never promised to us. In fact, when our Lord wrote the charter of our privileges, He included chastisements as part of what we would inherit. Trials are part of our portion; they were predestined for us in Christ’s legacy, “In this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Just as the stars are placed in the sky by His hand, so our trials are carefully appointed. He has set their time, their intensity, and their purpose.

Godly people should never expect to escape trouble. If they do, they’ll be disappointed because none of God’s people have been without it. Look at Job’s patience. Remember Abraham, who faced trials and became the “Father of the faithful” through his perseverance. Study the lives of the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and you’ll find that none of them escaped the furnace of affliction. It’s been predetermined that every vessel of mercy will bear the mark of suffering, a royal sign that distinguishes those whom the King of kings has honored.

Though tribulation is part of the journey for God’s children, they have the comfort of knowing their Master has walked the path before them. His presence and sympathy encourage them, His grace sustains them, and His example teaches them how to endure. And when they finally reach the kingdom, it will more than compensate for all the “much tribulation” they endured to get there.

Evening

And with her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni. But his father called him Benjamin. — Gen 35:18 BSB

Every situation has both a bright side and a dark side. Rachel was overwhelmed with the pain of childbirth and the sorrow of her death, but Jacob, though grieving the loss of his wife, found joy in the birth of his son. It’s a blessing when, even as our flesh mourns, our faith rejoices in God’s goodness. Samson found honey in the lion’s carcass, and so will we find sweetness in our adversities if we look at them with eyes of faith. The stormy seas provide food, the wild forest is filled with beautiful flowers, strong winds clear away disease, and frost helps prepare the soil. Dark clouds bring rain, and from the black earth spring cheerful blossoms. There’s a silver lining in every dark cloud.

Some hearts seem to have a special ability to focus on the negative. If there’s one pit in the entire world, they’ll find it and fall into it. If there’s only one lion in the desert, they’ll be sure to hear it roar. This miserable tendency exists in all of us to some degree. At times, we’re like Jacob, crying, “Everything is against me!”

But faith’s way is different. Faith casts all cares on the Lord and looks forward to good even from the worst circumstances. Faith, like Gideon’s soldiers, doesn’t worry about the broken pitcher but celebrates the lamp that shines brighter because of it. Out of the rough oyster shell of difficulty, faith extracts the pearl of honor. From the deep, dark ocean of distress, she brings up the precious coral of godly experience. When the tide of prosperity goes out, faith finds treasures hidden in the sands. When the sun of joy sets, faith looks up to the starry promises of heaven. Even when death looms, faith points to the light of resurrection, transforming sorrow into joy.