the Rev. Henry Huenemann
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
Bible Reading
2 Corinthians 1:1-14:Devotional
Self-denial, cross-bearing, tribulation, suffering, persecution—all belong to the life of a Christian. Christ says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." In the world you shall have tribulation, and Paul tells us, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." And writing to the Thessalonians about being counted worthy of the kingdom of God he says, "For which ye also suffer."
But why all this suffering and tribulation? God does not willingly afflict, nor grieve the children of men. He does not delight in their suffering. "Though he causes grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies." Even tribulation and suffering must work together for our good. Paul says, "We glory in tribulation also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed." The God of all comfort, comforts us in all our tribulation; that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. "If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him." "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Those before the throne of God, who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb are they which came out of great tribulation.
Prayer
Our Father in heaven, In all our sorrow, persecution. and tribulation, may we not become discouraged but with uplifted head look for the self-same One who has before offered himself for us to the judgment of God, and removed from us all curse, to come again as Judge from heaven, who shall cast all his and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but shall take me, with all his chosen ones, to himself, into heavenly joy and glory." May this be our comfort. Amen.
Scripture in Devotional: Matt. 16:24; 10:38; John 16:33; 2 Tim. 3:12; 2 Thess. 1:5; Lam. 3:32, 33; Rom. 5:3-5; 2 Cor. 1:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rom. 8:18; Rev. 7:14.
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