Tag Archives: adversity

August 22
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“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2, NIV)

Today’s psalm reminds us of the connection between where we choose to live and the quality of that life.

The state of Kansas, where I was born, is known (as much for its depiction in the classic movie, “The Wizard of Oz,” as anything else) as the home of fierce windstorms and tornadoes.  Kansas is also a place where a lot of people live in mobile homes.

People whose dwelling place is a mobile home do not rest easy when wind storms and tornadoes are in the weather forecast.

Likewise, in life, people whose “shelter” is their wealth, their popularity, their intelligence, or any state or status other than an established and growing relationship with the Lord God will not — cannot — rest easy when these “shelters” are at risk of destruction in the storms of life.

These storms; whether they be illness, persecution for doing the right thing, the death of a relative or a friend, or enduring a trial of faith, are as natural in the spiritual realm as tornadoes are in the physical realm.

Where is your dwelling place?  Where is your resting place?

For the person who trusts in God, these two places share the same address.  – Luther
REMINDER: Daily Encouragement will be on break tomorrow, as normal. Lord willing, see you again on Monday!  Have a great day in worship.

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July 17
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“The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’  The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’  They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.”  (Acts 16:27-32, NIV)

It isn’t about us.

When God permits the suffering of His saints without apparent cause; and when He allows pain and various humiliations into the lives of His children, we need to remind ourselves that it isn’t about us.

God so loved the jailer and his household that he permitted the illegal confinement and humiliation of two of His most productive people in order that through their faithful testimony in adversity His grand plan for humanity (e. g. the salvation of the world through Jesus) might be realized.

In our weakness, we would prefer that those in need would come to us in our bright, shining, sanctuaries of holiness.  However, it pleases God to send His people into the dark, adverse, and gritty places because that is where the light is most needed.  It is both our duty and our privilege to bear that light!  – Luther

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July 14
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“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!'” (Acts 16:25-28, NIV)

It is axiomatic: When praises to God go up, the power of God comes down.

This is illustrated by today’s scripture. Even in the midst of their pain, and the apparent wrongness of their situation (they were doing a good thing, remember; for God, no less); Paul and Silas found reasons to pray and to sing!

Allow your prayer and your praises to God to rise in every circumstance, and you will see the power of God arrive and transform sorrow into joy.

Remember: When praises go up; power comes down.  – Luther

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