Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

May 3– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“In the world you will have tribulation.” 

—John 16:33

 

Are you questioning the reason for trouble, dear believer in Christ? If you are, then first look up. Look to your heavenly Father and behold him pure and holy, and know that one day you will be like him. Will you easily be conformed to his image, or will it take lots of refining in the furnace of affliction to get rid of your imperfections?

Then, secondly, take a moment to look downward. Do you know what kind of enemies lie beneath your feet? You were once a servant of Satan, and, since no king willingly loses his subjects, he will always be at you. It is his nature to “go around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour,” so expect trouble from him.

Then, look around you. Are you not in enemy territory? The world is not your friend. If it is, then you are not a friend of God. Be assured that you will find enemies everywhere. As mosquitoes are said to bite strangers more than natives, so will the trials of this earth be sharpest to you.

Lastly, look within yourself– into your own heart– and observe what is there. Sin and self are still within. Even if you had no devil to tempt you, no enemies to fight you, and no world to ensnare you, you would still find in yourself enough trouble for “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.”

Expect trouble in your life, but never be discouraged by it for God is with you to help and strengthen you. He has said, “I will be with you in trouble; I will deliver you and honor you.” [M&E]