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Listen while you read: "Revive Thy Work O Lord"1 (Lyrics) |
"Life is difficult." A simple but profound statement from M. Scott Peck's national best-seller, The Road Less Traveled. He continues, "Once we know that life is difficult — once we truly understand and accept it — then life is no longer difficult."
Recently, I heard a similar statement: "You don't get to the top of the mountain by climbing the smooth side." I concur. One of my favourite mountains to climb is Tray Mountain, located in the northeastern mountains of Georgia. But getting there requires scaling Rocky Mountain.
The biblical epitome of hardship was Job, a man from whom all was taken by Satan with God's permission. And for what purpose? To prove to Satan that Job's righteousness wasn't because God had treated him favourably. In spite of hardships, Job praised God.
Job 1:21 – I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord! (NLT)
Lies that Satan would have us believe include: life should be fair, life should be easy, and life should afford me anything I desire. Nowhere does God promise any of these things. Society may infer them, and teachers and parents may even perpetuate them, but the truth comes barrelling through when hardships strike.
God, however, doesn't want the hardship to make me bitter or angry. He desires that I experience healing. This comes by believing the truth. The truth is that I must learn to be content with what He provides, even if that's only my needs. Initiative is good, but I must learn to trust His wisdom when life's hardships arrive. Truth sets me free and helps me to face life with confidence and peace. And the truth is that God loves me, will provide for me, and will guide me through any hardship that comes my way.
Have life's hardships made you bitter, angry, or caused you to distrust God? If so, confess that to Him and let Him heal your emotions and give you a new vision for life.
Prayer: Thank You, merciful God, for promising to bring us through every hardship we face in life. Amen.
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Thursday, September 21, 2023 – Worldwide — International Day of Prayer for Peace — Pray for our brothers and sisters in so many countries in the world where they are being persecuted, imprisoned, and killed for their faith. Pray that their faith will stand strong in the face of adversity.
Broken friendship-CB: "September 21,2023. Please pray for the restoration of a lifelong friendship. Their friendship has..." 
Please pray for Shawn: "September 21, 2023. Shawn has struggled to breathe for many years and is in the hospital again..." 
Mrs--a former devotional writer: "September 21,2023. I humbly request healing prayers, I am having some very serious health problems..." 
Thank you Martin.
And found it to be true! Thanks!!
This is definitely a devotional I need at this time.
Thank you Martin a very realistic and helpful message to carry us through our days!
Thank you Martin for this excellent reminder. Just what I needed to hear this morning. May God continue to bless you as you write inspirational messages for us.
Well done Martin. You addressed an important topic with plenty of food for thought.
Blessings.
Dear Martin,
Thank you for sharing exactly what I needed to read today, to bolster my faith. Blessing to you!
Hello Martin,
A well thought out and well written devotional.
Thanks for being one of the inspiring writers of PresbyCan Daily Devotionals.
(Ont. Canada)
Dear Mr. Wiles,
The devotional you presented on Hardship was uplifting, knowing that our Lord is always with us whenever we have them. I shared it with my family, too.
Thank you.
Dear Mr. Wiles,
Life doesn’t need to be fair. It is blessed by God.
GOD WILL LEVEL ALL IN HEAVEN, WON’T HE?
God will give his glory to us.
Amen.
Keep writing.
Thank you for the devotional.
What true words! So many times, we think that we want the easy road where all is fair. How we face the trials is what is important and trusting God when they occur, knowing all things happen for a reason, is what we need to do.
I say this given my current health situation
I was been unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer. I cried but I kept praying and asking God for strength to get through this. The disease news and everything about it terrified me BUT God is ever-present and will bring me through this…after all, what is God’s most precious gift? Life!
To fight this, I need my Faith, prayer, and positive energy! God will help me through it to survive.
So, I stay positive and I thank God for the truly supportive friends with which HE has surrounded me, and for HIS strong arm upon which to lean!
Please do continue to write.
God bless!
Hey Martin – so timely for me – great job!
Thanks for this, Martin. Important message.