March 16 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Do not be surprised and don't think it strange when suffering comes over God's people. There is much more reason to believe that something strange is going on when the church has peace than when it is under fire.

If our Christian way of life is generally accepted, it's time we took a critical look at it. Christ was "despised and rejected," and we claim to be his followers.

According to the Bible, the suffering of God's people is normal. Peace and quiet are abnormal—although desirable. We have never been prom­ised rest and triumph in this world. Whatever we receive along that line is more than we may expect. Christians who are experiencing peace and relative prosperity are living under very unusual conditions—for Chris­tians, at any rate. They must make good use of the opportunities that such peaceful times present. And they must watch and pray lest they and their children get accustomed to the soft life.

The Christian faith is bound to go through fire, says Peter, for at least three reasons. Everything that is worthwhile must be tested for endur­ance and genuineness. Therefore the Christian faith needs to be tested by fire.

Second, Christ has taught us that the only way to the glory of his king­dom is the road of obedience and self-denial. So it is inevitable that Chris­tians experience struggles in themselves and opposition from others.

Third, if we are to experience the fellowship of Christ in this life, we have to share in his suffering. "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed." Suffering for Jesus' sake is a source of joy—a joy that is very unworldly and very profound.

May those who must suffer today experience the fellowship of the One who was crucified. And may all of us be sure that we are still in his company.

REFLECTION

What might "getting accustomed to the soft life" be like you for you and your family?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.