February 15th, 2019

        Overcoming Adversity (Proverbs 24:10)
 
Proverbs 24:10, "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."
 
From time to time, all of us face adversity, hardship, disappointment, defeat, setback, and loss. Adversity does not mean that we are doing things wrong—often it is evidence that we are doing things right. Discouragement always pays periodic visits to everyone of us. No one is exempt! Whenever we faced trouble God is always faithfully standing by to give us grace to sustain. Whatever the trial we face, God’s grace is always sufficient and sustaining (II Corinthians 12:9).
 
G. Campbell Morgan grew up in the home of a Baptist preacher and delivered his first sermon at age thirteen. But because he had no formal religious instruction, when he first applied for ordination he was refused. The disappointed young man sent a one word telegram to his father: “Rejected.” His father responded: “Rejected on Earth, accepted in Heaven.” Morgan refused to be discouraged and continued his studies and preaching. He became one of the most noted Bible teachers and conference speakers of his generation and pastored large churches on both sides of the Atlantic. If he had allowed a temporary setback to stop him, the world would have lost a great influence for good. Things often do not go well when we set out to serve God. The devil places obstacles in front of us to attempt to keep us from being effective in the work. He knows that if he can get us to be discouraged because of problems we are on our way to defeat. Adversity is often a sign that we are on the right track and keep going till we succeed. If you allow adversity to stop you, you will never accomplish anything of lasting value in God’s work.
 
If we allow ourselves to be discouraged from doing anything unless we have complete approval, it is certain that we will never accomplish anything of value. Rather than being discouraged by adversity, we should take comfort in God’s faithfulness and keep on doing what is right. Be strong in the Lord; no great work for God has ever been done without adversity from the enemy.
 
Often, it is through the trials of life that we are able to appropriate God’s grace and develop Christlikeness. Missionary Hudson Taylor once said, “It doesn’t matter how great the pressure is. What really matters is where the pressure lies. Be sure that it doesn’t come between you and the Saviour.” Even the painful pressure of trials can push us closer to our Saviour.
 
There are some who feel they never need trials. But God loves us too much to allow us not to grow. John Newton, author of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” put it this way: Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes because we need them; and He proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires. Let us trust in His skill and thank Him for His prescription.--John Newton
 
Build your life on the Rock that can never be shaken. Trust in the LORD. Always. When facing adversity, don’t quit. Don’t hit the panic button. Hit the prayer button. Take it to the LORD. There are several more, but here are five Scriptures to encourage the disheartened when facing adversity: Deuteronomy 4:30-31; II Samuel 22:7; James 1:2-3; I John 5:4; Galatians 6:9.
 
Prayer, Father You are my strength and my sustainer. Regardless of the troubles I face You faithfully give me the grace to sustain them. Help me never to forget to turn to You. Whatever circumstances I may confront may I trust Your plan, Your wisdom, and Your will. Praise and glory to You. In Jesus name, Amen.
 
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