Isaiah 50:10
‘Who is among you that feareth The Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant that walketh in darkness and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of The Lord and stay upon his God’.

• DAILY READING 1 Corinthians 14:1-25; 2 Kings 8; Jonah 3

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In 1962, a revealing study of 413 “famous and exceptionally gifted people” called Cradles of Eminence, was published by Victor and Mildred Goertzel. They spent years attempting to understand what produced such greatness, what common thread might run through all of these outstanding people’s lives. Surprisingly, the most outstanding fact was that virtually all of them, 392, had to overcome very difficult obstacles in order to become who they were. 

Indeed the path to greatness is a path often fraught with challenges. And it is only through overcoming those challenges that one truly becomes a winner and achiever in life.

As we go through the scriptures, we find also that most of those greatly used by God, were those who first passed through fire. 

Joseph went through slavery and imprisonment before mounting the throne of Egypt. For David, most of his Psalms were written in very difficult times. Apostle Paul, wrote most of the Epistles from prisons. Even today, most of the present day great men and women have had to pass through various physical and spiritual oppositions to bring the Gospel to people. 

God does not tempt anyone, nor bring these trials, but when the enemy does, God uses them as trainers for our spiritual muscles. Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through trials and challenges, can the soul be strengthened, faith inspired, and success achieved.

The believer’s life is an overcomer’s life. It is a life of continually triumphing over challenges and moving from victory to victory. And our victory comes through the faith imparted to our heart by God’s Word.  

This is why in times of  trials, we do not  focus on the negative things, rather we focus on  Christ Jesus. No matter the trial, we keep looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. 

Serving God does not mean that you will never have challenges. Rather it means that despite the tribulations in the world, through Christ we will always have the victory.  

There is an encouraging verse in Isaiah 50:10 that says

 ‘Who is among you that feareth The Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant that walketh in darkness and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of The Lord and stay upon his God’. 

You may fear The Lord, be serving Him, and still sometimes find yourself in a difficult situation. Daniel found himself in this kind of situation, when thrown into the Lion’s den. But then did his trial change his confession? No! He still believed God, still trusted God through the trial. And God saw him through and gave him victory in the end. 

If challenges come to us even when we are serving God, the Bible tells us in the above verse ‘stay upon The Lord.’ That is to say no matter how dark the situation, hold on to the Word of God. Even when it seems you cannot see your way, walk by the light imparted to your heart by The Word of God. We do not walk by sight, we walk by faith.  Listen to the voice of The Holy Spirit within you and walk by the instructions He gives. 

Indeed they that put their trust in The Lord shall never be ashamed. It doesn’t matter what it may look like now, God will surely see you through. He will make a way for you. He will turn around that situation for you. What men meant for evil God will turn it for your good, where you were meant to stumble, God will cause you to soar. He will lift you up, He will turn your mourning into dancing. He will put off your sackcloth and gird you with gladness. He will turn your test into your testimony. 

So whatever challenge you may face, know that it is all working out together for your good.  God will come through for you. Despite the roaring of the storm, you will survive, you will thrive. Through it all, God will give you a song and a testimony.  

PRAYER: Lord, Please help me to always know that You are at work in my situation. Indeed with You nothing is impossible. Help me never to limit You in my thinking, because indeed You can do exceedingly above all I could ever ask or imagine in Jesus Name.  .

QUOTE 

When God is on your side anything is possible. WORDBITE  201
 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]