Someone close to me recommitted his life to God, began taking his wife and young daughter to church, and was seeking to follow Jesus faithfully. Within weeks, however, his world began to fall apart. His daughter was admitted to the hospital with a chest infection, his business partner refused to pay him, and his wife asked for some time apart. He looked drained and weary when I offered to pray for him, saying he’d rather not have any help from God. From the moment he’d chosen to serve the Lord again, he said it felt as if a huge target had been placed on his back and the Enemy was having a field day.
Can you empathize with this man? Perhaps you’ve served God faithfully for many years and yet still aren’t experiencing victory in certain parts of your life. In Malachi, we see that the people of God had the same complaint. They asked, “What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins? From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm” (Malachi 3:14-15).
The reality? God’s promise to those who fear Him is that “the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture” (Malachi 4:2). Be encouraged today as you continue to fear God and honor His name. Though things might seem bleak and your heart may be heavy, trust in Him. He alone can provide joy, peace, and hope even during difficult days. By faith, you can “overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Daniel 1:1-21
More:
Read Psalm 73:1-28 and note the psalmist’s frustration at seeing evil people prosper, but also how he concludes the psalm with his hope firmly in God.
Next:
Have you become discouraged while you struggle with life’s challenges? How does it encourage you to know that God is yours forever and remains the strength of your heart?
Gary Shultz on May 28, 2017 at 6:23 am
HI Ruth: The classic passage of Psalm 73 is always a reminder, God wins. You have confessed there were times in your life’s journey that were shaken and quake’n. Life will present that to most everyone in some form. I liked the passage you used from Malachi, the fact finding process was similar to that of Psalm 73. There is another way to look at the situation of your acquaintance. Was it not providential that God had reentered his life “for such a time as this”. What a gift to have reestablished communications with God as now he faced these trials. We can look at life like those who gathered and said, the arrogant are the blessed and we have wasted our time with God. Or those who said, we will fear and honor God no matter what. Those are the people God is looking for, and our God is the kind of God they are looking for. The race may be long, and difficult at times, but God runs long with us and the faithful win. Thanks Ruth
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on May 28, 2017 at 11:38 am
I have also found that it is in those times of greatest suffering and trial, that I become most aware of my desperate need for God – He is faithful and has an eternal and good perspective on my life and everything that happens in my life. He makes ‘all things beautiful in His time.
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on May 28, 2017 at 11:27 am
Hi Gary, I agree with you. As disciples of Jesus, the enemy wants to trip us up. The devil hates us and does want to wreck havoc in our lives, we must ‘resist the devil and he will flee’. Jesus tells this parable in Matthew 13: 24-43
“Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” May we say together with the Apostle Paul – ‘ I have learnt to be content, no matter the circumstance’. May we learn to be faithful, no matter the circumstance – through the power of the Holy Spirit.
mleue on May 29, 2017 at 1:40 am
Thank you for this encouraging devotion.
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on May 30, 2017 at 12:08 am
As I reflect on this devotional again, I’m also reminded of that powerful scripture in John 10:10 where Jesus says: “The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”