Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Why Lord? By Ann Broughton





In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).

    “Why Lord?”  Have you ever asked that question? Sometimes our lives can be filled with trouble and sorrow, and it is easy to lose hope and wonder where God is in the midst of our despair. Jesus spoke these words to his disciples before he was to be crucified. He knew his disciples were going to grieve and he gave them a lecture on having hope. (John 16: 19-33) He knew that they would undergo much tribulation as His followers in the days ahead and wanted them to know that He would never forsake them. The verse that really gives me hope is: “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy” (John 26:22 NIV)
Because we have Christ in us, we have His joy inside of us even when we face our trials. He is with us through the storms of our lives.
     There are many people in the Bible that could have asked the question “Why Lord?”  Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace. Joseph was thrown into prison on false charges. David had to hide in a cave so that he wouldn’t be killed by Saul. Esther risked death in order to save the Jews from being killed. This is just to name a few who had tremendous problems. But the great thing that binds all these people together is the fact that they trusted in God, and He came to their aid.
     You have a Savior who loves you very much and nothing can separate you from that love. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?.....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35,37). You may not have the answer to “Why Lord?” given to you, but please know that God is with you through it and there are people watching you to see if your faith is real. This is when you can impact others and show them that having faith in God can give you the peace to face anything. This is a time you can witness to others that you love the Lord and trust Him.
Dear Lord,
Help us to always love you and trust you even when our lives are filled with trouble and fear. We know that nothing can separate us from your love, and you are with us in the midst of our trials. Help us to be a good witness for you in the midst of our tribulation.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Perseverance: A devotion by Ann Broughton

“ And not only this, but we also exult in tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance proven cha...