Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- January 19, 2012
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.” Hebrews 5:7-9
Very few Christians invite or enjoy suffering, but it is during this somber season that obedience to Almighty God ascends in superiority to sincere saints. Sorrow seeks to torment a soul’s trust in its Savior Jesus. Self wants the attention when afflicted, but it’s the glory of God that deserves the recognition. Obedience to Christ is the central concern.
Yes, with fervency we cry and weep to the One who saved us—the One who will save us—and the One who can save us from our momentary affliction. But the Lord’s school of suffering is meant to shape us into sharp students of His word and instant applicants of His principles for living. Our graduation occurs once we transition into His glorious presence.
“But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:13
What hurts your heart or afflicts your body? If it is a break up, then break down before your heavenly Father and He will comfort your loss. If cancer is attacking your body, then cast your cares on Christ for He will sustain you through this scary time. Obedience is meant to thrive, not dive, during difficult times. So, aggressively seek the Savior of your soul.
Obedience stretches our faith to forgive where we have been offended. It leads us to kindly accept those who harshly reject us. We obey, because Jesus obeyed in reverent submission. Even as the privileged Son of God, He learned obedience from what He suffered. Suffering is a prerequisite to being made perfect in compliance to Christ. Thus, embrace your disease or emotional upheaval as an opportunity to let His light shine.
“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” 1 Peter 4:19
Where is the Lord teaching me to be obedient during my time of suffering?
Related Readings: James 5:10-11; 1 Peter 4:1-19; 5:1-10; Revelation 2:10
Post/Tweet this today: Self wants the attention when afflicted, but it’s the glory of God that deserves the recognition. #glory
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Good morning! Thanks for your faithfulness posting everyday something encouraging 😉 I see your point in this post. However we also should remember that when it come to learning the Word of God should be our real help not difficult circumstances. In fact, when difficult circumstances hit us the foundation of the Word, deeply rooted in our hearts, will help us to overcome the situation. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Additionally 1 Peter 4 is talking about the pain and suffering as result of persecution; When we preach the gospel our adversaries are actually persecuting Jesus, not us . And if we endure persecution for Christ’s sake, we have a great reward (Mt 5:11-12). The Lord will more than compensate us for any suffering we endure for His sake (Ro 8:18).
At the second return of the Lord (Mt 24:3, Mr 13:26, and Lu 21:27), His glory will be revealed to every person who has ever lived. The whole human race will stand before Him and give account of the things they did while on earth (Ro 14:12 and 1Pe 4:5). Then all those who have ever spoken against us or injured us will see the folly of their actions and the wisdom of ours. We will really be glad that we didn’t cave in to their pressures. And as you said “Obedience stretches our faith” Thanks, 😉
I’m starting to get it now.
Are you kidding me!!! “embrace your disease or emotional upheavl”???? That is a lie straight from hell!!! Jesus died and suffered so we can be healed from every disease and every emotional turmoil. How awful for you to tell people to embrace the very things Jesus took in his own body and delivered us from.
The sufferings, or persecution tht is talked about in the Bible are what you suffer at the hands of others for your belief in Christ NOT disease or emotional sufferings! I will be blocking your e-mails. I do not want to read lies that come from satan. He has you right where he wants you—accepting the things that jesus took away and DEFEATED!!!
I hope someday you find out the TRUTH!!! Jesus went about healing the sick–he did NOT tell them to glorify the Father by suffering in it.
My sister Shannon, you are in error. Jesus Christ did not take away suffering rather He demonstrated that in suffering we can have peace because God is with us in the suffering. That is why we Christians are called to suffer as Christ suffered 1peter 2:21. We live in a fallen world and are not exempted from different short comings of this world but we can cast our cares on God who cares for us. Remember if we suffer with Him then we will be glorified with Him. Remember Paul who was given messenger of Satan to torment him and he pleaded with God to take it away and He said to him my grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness. And paul rejoiced even though the sickness was not taken away. 2 Corinthians 12:9