Your trials and troubles are evidence of the Lord’s confidence in you!

7/30/2019

“Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his maker? Job 4:17 NKJV

Eliphaz reminded Job that he counseled and encouraged other people. He also told Job, now that the shoe is on the other foot you don’t want to hear it. Then Eliphaz said, isn’t your confidence in your own holiness, isn’t your hope in your own righteousness?

There are times when our confidence is in our own holiness and righteousness. It should be in God’s grace. We cannot earn God’s favor. We can receive His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We can be declared righteous through faith in the Risen Lord!

When tribulations come upon us we may wonder what we have done to offend the Lord. God is not sitting on His throne waiting for us to make a mistake so He can punish us!

Eliphaz told Job God does not judge or punish the righteous. He punishes the wicked and evil. He tells Job God has no confidence or trust in human beings. God does judge evil. That does not mean only evil people suffer. Rain falls on the just and the unjust alike!

And have you forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons; “My son do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens. And scourges every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:5-6

God does not spoil His children. The Lord trusts us enough to form us into the image of His Son. Jesus hung on a cross in obedience to the Father. Jesus wants us to take up our crosses and follow Him into the Father’s good and perfect will!

God allows trials and testing into our lives so we will have a testimony to share with hurting people! Jesus fills us with His spirit so He use us to save other people.

Job did not think of himself as more righteous and pure than God. I don’t. I don’t think you do either. There were times when Job acted like he did. There are times when you and I may act like it as well.

We act like it when we try to work harder and do more to earn God’s favor. We can act like it when we suffer hardship and loss even though we know this life is not the end of our existence. Our true rewards await us in eternity!

Jesus does not expect us to enjoy trials and hardship. He does want us to trust Him with them.

Do not be discouraged when you are rebuked by the Lord. Jesus chastens and scourges the people He loves. Jesus works in and through people He trusts!

Jesus trusts you enough to form His life in you. He trusts you enough to live out His life through you. Will you trust Jesus enough to let Him walk you through the trials and troubles in your life?

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Louie Garcia

Joyfor2day daily devotional goes out over the internet to thousands of people all over the world five days a week

Jesus can use you to shake the foundations of the prison and set people free!

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out that very hour. Acts 16:16-18 NKJV

The slave girl was speaking the truth. She was possessed by an evil spirit. The evil spirit was drawing people away from Christ!

This attack came as God’s servants went to prayer. The enemy of our souls attacks when we step out in faith. Satan seeks to distract us. He wants us to focus our attention on things other than Jesus.

The devil perverts the truth. He uses it against us. No one can serve two masters. This girl was speaking the truth about Paul and his companions while practicing witchcraft. When people claim to speak for God we must consider how they live.

The girl followed the disciples for several days before they cast the demon out of her. It is important for us to wait on the Lord before stepping out in faith. The bible tells us Paul was greatly annoyed by this girl. Paul was not fearful. The Lord was with Him!

Paul and Silas were put in jail. The owners of the slave girl were angry at the loss of income when the demon was cast out of her. While Paul and Silas were in jail they shared the gospel with the jailer. His entire household was saved.

God uses Satan’s attacks for His glory and our salvation!

Satan is a real being. He takes people captive to do his will. There really are demons who seek to destroy God’s people and bring destruction to our world.

We have nothing to fear from the devil or his demons when we live according to God’s will. We have nothing to fear from anyone or anything when we step out in faith to serve Jesus!

Jesus wants us to fear Him and Him alone. He wants us to know His power and authority are unequaled in all of creation.

God wants you share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people in your life. Jesus wants you to walk in great boldness because He is with you everywhere you go!

Jesus can use you to shake the foundations of the prison and set people free!

Your trials and troubles are evidence of the Lord’s confidence in you!

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Louie Garcia

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