Tag Archives: adversity

July 2
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“After proclaiming the Message in Derbe and establishing a strong core of disciples, they retraced their steps to Lystra, then Iconium, and then Antioch, putting muscle and sinew in the lives of the disciples, urging them to stick with what they had begun to believe and not quit, making it clear to them that it wouldn’t be easy: ‘Anyone signing up for the kingdom of God has to go through plenty of hard times.'” (Acts 14:21-22, The Message)

Expectations. Set forth clear expectations today, and you will avoid a great deal of misunderstanding and disappointment tomorrow.

As disciples of Jesus, we are told numerous times in the scriptures to expect hardship, resistance, and trial for the sake of the Good News. Difficulties come with being a citizen of heaven. Expect it.

We are also told numerous times in the scriptures to expect the presence of God’s Holy Spirit in every circumstance, to empower, to cheer, and to guide us.

Are our expectations as God’s people based on God’s word, or are our expectations based on something else?  – Luther

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June 24
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“His wife said to him, ‘Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!’ He (Job) replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” (Job 2:9-10, NIV)

We have no problem receiving God’s “obvious blessings,” but what about the blessings that arrive in a disguise?

Difficult times challenge our integrity as disciples of Jesus, as much as the difficulties of Job challenged his integrity as a man of God; that is, sticking to one’s belief that God will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5); and that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28).

Do not expect others to understand your tenacity; even your closest friends will not. “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b)  – Luther

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June 9
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“Then they called out in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to terrify them and make them afraid in order to capture the city. They spoke about the God of Jerusalem as they did about the gods of the other peoples of the world — the work of human hands.” (2 Chronicles 32:18-19, NIV)

Today’s scripture from 2 Chronicles actually begins with an account of the siege of Jerusalem by the ruthless and powerful Assyrian army.  In order to gain tactical advantage, the Assyrians taunted the watch-standers of Jerusalem by insulting the Lord God — in Hebrew!

It should be known that Hebrew, in that day, was not a world language.  It was a minority tongue.  That the Assyrians would use Hebrew to taunt the people of Jerusalem is a great example of what modern warriors call “psychological operations” or “psy ops.”

The take-away I am offering from this lesson is that we, as disciples of Jesus, should not fear assaults on our faith, even when these affronts come in the vernacular most familiar to us; or when they come from persons with great standing or power.  It’s all “psy ops.” It is a tactic designed to erode our confidence in God; and to persuade us to abandon our posts as sentinels and beacons of light.

The story continues: The people of Jerusalem did not lose heart. They remained in the city, despite the insults of the Assyrians and, in time, God delivered them from the Assyrians.

When you are in distress, stand firm.  Divine help is coming.  God will either deliver you from the peril — or through it.  – Luther

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