Isaiah 45:14-19; Colossians 1:24-2:7; John 8:12-19
How easy it is to rejoice and give thanks to God when things are going well. But when we encounter difficulties, and troubles befall us, are we so eager to sing God’s praises?
Life is not always good. We are creatures broken by sin, living in a world broken by sin, and when life becomes challenging, even the most faithful among us can be tempted to turn praise into grumbling or turn our anger upon God. We demand an explanation for why bad things happen to good people. We look for someone to blame, rather than accepting the randomness and unpredictability of life and admitting our own powerlessness to prevent and avert suffering.
Paul writes that suffering provides an opportunity to powerfully proclaim the gospel of Christ. If we change our perspective to see our tribulation through eyes of faith, we may look beyond our present predicament, and focus instead on the riches of God’s grace that is ours through Christ. We must trust that when life is not good, God is always good. So that even amidst suffering, we can joyfully share the good news, walking in the way of Christ and praising God as we go.
Prayer: God of Wisdom, show us how to rejoice in our sufferings that through them, we may faithfully bear witness to the gospel of Christ. Amen.
Today’s devotion was written by Paulette McHugh, Associate Pastor, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lexington, SC.