In the Day of Adversity: Gospel Today Devotional - 30th May, 2023

LESSONS FROM PROVERBS (2)

For the believer, it is not as though there would not be challenges. There would be. It is not as though there won't be storms; there would be. It is also not as though there won't be fire or flames kindled by such fire; there would be. Jesus in one of his words said that in this world we shall have tribulations which in this case may mean troubles, challenges, difficulties. However, he didn't say to panic but to be cheerful. Really? You're amazed, right? Yes, he said to be cheerful, why? Because he has overcome the world; meaning that we would always come out of those situations stronger than ever, and victorious as well.

The test of strength is proven most times by how much one can withstand or overcome a certain difficult situation. Take for instance, if I get a cup of glass, and it falls on the floor covered with rug, it may likely not be broken, right? I believe that's true. How about when I subject the same glass cup to a floor that is tiled without any covering? It may likely not stand that test. Why? Because there's a more serious test than the first, and this time when I expected it to remain the way it ever was, its strength failed.

You know, many times when one claims to be strong, it is because such a person has not been subjected to a test stronger than his strength. So people who claim to be strong in the days of little or no test at all are most times no where to be found when the situation gets beyond their control. Shall we look into that which the Lord has for us today? It is seen in the passage of scripture below,

"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small". (Proverbs 24:10).

I would like to paint another picture for you. Have you ever seen a boxer or a wrestler before now? Most of you would have seen one, right? A boxer may claim to be so strong, and most times, boxers or wrestlers claim they do until they meet their match. Imagine before the fight, based on the fact that he had won against many other opponents before which in the real sense were not as strong as his current opponent, he may begin to feel himself forgetting that this would be a true test for his strength? Are you still with me? If after all the claim, he gets beaten without mercy by his opponent, would people still think he is strong? The answer is no for me, you?

That's almost the same way it is with the believer. When faced with no challenge at all, we shout at the top of our voices, sing hallelujah to the Lord. Why? Because the bill was paid at the appropriate time, the interview was successful, the investment brought back a huge return, the house was completed in record time, the grades got better every semester. For the believer most times, God is most honoured when he is most blessed. No blessing, no praise; no singing, no rejoicing.

But look at what the passage of scripture above says, if our strength fails us when faced with challenges(in the day of adversity) which for the believer are temporary, then we were never strong. If our strength to pray, sing to the Lord, rejoice, glory in his wonder; if our strength to tell of his goodness, and sing of his faithfulness fail us when faced with challenges, then we never really were strong. The question today is, will the strength you claim to have now that there's nothing to test it stand when faced with a test?. I pray for someone reading this today that the strength to overcome in the day of  adversity, the Lord would grant to you. Grace to you, and peace from God the Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Thought for the day: 

You're not to faint in the day of adversity.

Gospel Today is a comforting, exhorting, edifying and inspiring devotional published by the Delightsome Land Christian Ministry. For questions, enquiries/testimonies, please call/WhatsApp: 08174915361, 08161655758 or Email: [email protected].