May 22

Morning

He led them on a straight path to reach a city where they could live. — Ps 107:7 BSB

Trials and troubles often lead the anxious believer to ask, "Why is this happening to me? I was expecting light, but darkness came! I sought peace, but trouble arrived! Lord, You’ve hidden Your face from me, and now I’m troubled. Just yesterday, I was so sure of my salvation. Today, my faith feels cloudy, and my hopes are dim. Yesterday, I felt like I could see the Promised Land and celebrate my future inheritance with confidence. But today, all I feel is fear, doubt, and distress. Is this really part of God’s plan for me? Could this be the way He’s leading me to heaven?"

Yes, it is! The dark clouds, the fainting of your hope, and the struggling of your faith—these are all part of God’s process of preparing you for the great inheritance you’re about to receive. These trials are meant to test and strengthen your faith. They’re like waves pushing you closer to the solid rock, like winds speeding your ship toward its harbor.

As David said, "so He brings them to their desired haven." Whether through honor or dishonor, good times or bad, abundance or poverty, joy or sorrow, persecution or peace—these are the tools God uses to nurture your soul and move you along the path. Don’t think, believer, that your suffering is outside of God’s plan; it’s a necessary part of it. "We must go through many trials to enter the kingdom." So learn to "count it all joy when you face various trials."

"O let my trembling soul be still,
And wait Your wise, Your holy will!
I cannot, Lord, Your purpose see—
Yet all is well since ruled by Thee."

Evening

How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how delightful! The soft grass is our bed. — Song 1:16 BSB

From every angle, our Beloved is beautiful. Our different experiences are like lenses, giving us new perspectives on the loveliness of Jesus.

How precious are our trials when they lift us up to see Jesus more clearly than we ever could in the ordinary routine of life! Some of us have seen Him from the bed of sickness, from the brink of the grave. We’ve turned our eyes to Him in moments of despair, and He has always remained beautiful. Many of His saints have gazed upon Him from the darkness of dungeons or even from the flames of persecution, yet none have ever spoken a word against Him. They died with praise on their lips, declaring His matchless beauty. Oh, what a noble and joyful task it is to keep looking at our precious Lord Jesus!

Is there anything more wonderful than considering the Savior in all His roles and finding Him perfect in each one? It’s like turning a kaleidoscope and discovering new combinations of His infinite grace.

In the manger and in eternity; on the cross and on His throne; in the garden and in His kingdom; among thieves or surrounded by angels—He is always and everywhere altogether lovely.

Examine every detail of His life and every facet of His character. He’s as beautiful in the small moments as He is in the grand ones. Weigh Him carefully—He’s never lacking. Eternity itself will never uncover even the slightest flaw in our Beloved. As the ages roll on, His hidden glories will only shine brighter and brighter!