Topic: Challenges Work Out Patience [July 3, 2016]
Text: Job 3:11-16
Key Verse: “Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?” (Job 3:11).
Samuel Brengle, in 1878, turned down offers to pastor some of the largest Methodists churches in the United States of America to join William Booth’s Salvation Army. Booth, who was initially sceptical about him, assigned to him the cleaning of other people’s shoes to instill humility in him. At first, Brengle got discouraged and regretted joining the church movement, but when he saw a vision of Jesus bending over the feet of rough, unlettered fishermen, he said: “Lord, you washed their feet; I will black their shoes.” He threw away pride and embraced humility.
Job had no rest, peace and quietness. He was so low physically, mentally and emotionally that if he was allowed to die, the calamities he was facing would have made him rejoice at it. To him, it seemed that God had forsaken him and did not care about him anymore. Yet, he never doubted that God was in control. Quite frankly, some people are passing through Job-like challenges, looking hopeless and sorrowful. They are walking through dark valleys, while consolation seems far away. Thank God, there is solution. God asked: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). Build your confidence in the Lord and He will see you through.
For people living without a focus on heaven, they should know that they will spend the rest of their lives in hell, except they accept Christ now. They will lose all their wealth in this world and miss being with God. To avoid this, they must live with eternity in view, preparing for heaven. The Scripture says, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19).
Thought for the day: Difficulties and obstacles are God’s challenges to faith.
Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Kings 7-8
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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