March 16, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :- WHILE ADVERSITIES LAST. . .
Read previous CAC Living Water Devotionals here
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER {Jan ~ June, 2020}
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday, March 16, 2020
TOPIC: WHILE ADVERSITIES LAST. . .
Read Job 1:13-22
[13]And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:[14]And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:[15]And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.[16]While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.[17]While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.[18]While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:[19]And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.[20]Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,[21]And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.[22]In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
MEMORISE: In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong (Job 1:22)
EXPOSITION
Adversities are no times of funfair or enjoyment. They are serious hard times. They are the darkest times in one’s life. David was embattled with them, even while on the throne, as Israel’s king (Psa. 3:3-5). This means adversities don’t spare anyone. Not even being a Christian will shield you from having your own fair spare of the challenges of life (Jn. 16:33). Is that a bad news? No!
Adversities do two things. They either make you better, or bitter, depending on how you handle or manage them. When you are reacting, instead of responding to adversities, you become embittered. Things and people become extremely difficult to put up with, in the world, because you are negatively reacting. Nothing brings enthusiasm, ecstasy, faith and joy, again. Not even the Word of God does these again, because they have become bitter, due to the negative circumstances (cf. Prov. 24:10).
On the contrary, in the fierce face of adversities, when you remain calm and cool, unperturbed and unfazed, you are being made, rather than marred (Rom. 8:35). God is the potter working on you, clay (Jer. 19:1ff). He can decide that you pass through dew, fire and dust, before being finally made. While adversities in any form last, you should develop godly attitudes (character), be optimistic and have faith in Christ Jesus.
People like Job, Joseph, the three Hebrews, Daniel, etc. never allowed adversities to make them bitter; they became better with every fire of trial, or adversity. Dear reader, just toe the line, and share the message across, God helping you.
PRAYER POINTS
1. I receive the enabling grace to remain unshaken, in spite of the devil’s buffeting, in Jesus’ name.
2. O God, help saints who are being tried, everywhere, to be steadfast while their trials last.
3. O God, help our leaders, both in the Church and the nation, to take their stands in You, in the face of the toughest adversity.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Numbers 34 – 35 & John 9
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!