Surprising Benefits of Suffering
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” Isaiah 9:2. This verse is commonly used in connection with the...
Category: God’s Redemptive Nature
Strength In Weakness: Not In Spite of but Because of
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest...
What Does God Say About the Unjust Suffering of Joseph?
“Pharaoh said to his brothers, ‘What is your occupation?’ And they said to Pharaoh, ‘Your servants are shepherds, as our fathers were’” Genesis 47: 3. Apparently, all of Joseph’s brothers were shepherds, just as their father’s...
This Momentary Light Affliction: Price of Glory
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” 2 Corinthians 4: 17. This verse came to mind one day, during a stressful period, when I was...
Suffer Well and Incur No Absolute Loss
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of...
Resisting Sin: Is Temptation a Friend or Foe?
“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes” Mathew 18: 7! To read this passage for context, click here....
King Hezekiah’s Prayer: God’s 180
“In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, ‘This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because...
Double for your Trouble: Best of Both Worlds
“He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born” Luke 1: 15b. This passage picks up the discourse between an unnamed...
What Does the Red Sea Crossing Represent?
“When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground” Exodus 15:19. The Israelites had just left...
Hannah’s Prayer and the Pain that Drove It
“And her [Hannah’s] rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of...