“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Ephesians 6:10
As we enter into the New Year we can rejoice in all that the Lord has done for us and look not only to a New Year but new decade with great anticipation for all that God has in store. Yet, there are those that may have had a challenging year and they are thankful to just be moving into a New Year. Most of those reading this devotional already know the importance of hearkening to the voice of the Lord and to follow Him with all your heart. You probably already are familiar with Isaiah 1:19 which says: “If ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land.” You may be indeed doing all that you know how to do and yet there seem to be challenges and struggles that you’ve gone through and you are asking in your mind, “when will I see the breakthrough?”
If this is you, you are in good company! The Apostle Paul went through the same thing! He was very obedient to the call of God on His life and hearkened diligently to His voice. Yet, time and time again he faced persecution and trials and troubles so much so that he finally cried out to God and asked him three times to take the thorn in the flesh away from him. God answered in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My Grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul goes on to say: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10
Some mistakenly think that the thorn was sent from God to humble Paul. However, when you read the scriptures you see it says the thorn was a messenger sent from satan to buffet him because of the great revelation Paul had received from God. The buffeting did not come from God, it did not come as a result of Paul missing it or being disobedient. This intensity that Paul was going through came because of the great revelation of God that he had received and satan did not want him being able to reap the benefits of the revelation. He definitely did not want Paul sharing that revelation with others for them to walk in the same power and authority, so he intensified his attacks on Paul.
In fact, almost all of the persecution and trials Paul went through were a result of his doing the right thing. They came because he did good. At times believers think that persecutions and trials only come because of disobedience to God and that if you do what’s right you won’t ever have to go through trials. Yet this is not the case. Jesus says in John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: But be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.”
When you have the wrong view of trials and tribulations and assume that they have come only because you missed it somehow, you set yourself up for a harder time standing your ground. At times, the trials come because you are doing exactly what God has called you to do and the enemy is trying to stop and deter you. Other times trials may come because you did miss it and need to repent and turn back the other direction. Either way, your enemy is the power of darkness trying to stop you from fulfilling God’s perfect plan and purpose in your life. Therefore, just like Paul, be not weary in well doing. Stand your ground! Do not back down! God’s grace is sufficient for you; His grace to turn a mountain into a plain.
Zachariah 4:7 says: “Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel though shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying , Grace, grace unto it.”
Sometimes you need to just press into the grace of God during situations of great trials. Trust in His Word and His plan and His deliverance. You shout Grace to your situation and watch that mountain become a plain!
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says: “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The Apostle Paul had people speaking evil about him because of his chains. He told Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:14-16 “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain.”
At the time many assumed that if someone was going through a tough time they must have sinned in some way. That is why when Jesus’s disciples saw a certain blind man, they asked “who sinned, this man or his parents?” Jesus responded “neither.” They had wrongly assumed that the man or his parents must’ve done something wrong for him to be in this condition. Later when the Pharisees wanted the man to explain how he received his sight they wouldn’t accept that Jesus had done this as a miracle from God and instead hurled insults at him and again accused him of being a sinner and sent him from their presence.
There were those that spoke evil of Paul because he was in prison, assuming he must have erred in some way. In 2 Timothy 2:3 Paul says by the Holy Spirit: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier for Jesus Christ.” He then goes onto say in 2 Timothy 2:9 “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
Jesus lets us know that there will be periods of trials that we will face. However, if we stand our ground and fight the good fight of faith, then these trials will actually work for our good. As Joseph said to his brothers: “What you meant for evil, God has turned for my good.” Just remember, Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den for doing what was right. However, God turned it for his good and he received a promotion. Joseph was thrown into slavery and prison not for any wrong doing on his part. Yet he went through this great trial and God brought him out and used it for his good and for the saving of his family and the entire region from a drought. The three Hebrew boys were thrown in the fiery furnace for doing what was right! Yet they were brought out safe and promoted and even the laws of the land were changed because of it. Some of our greatest trials come because we have chosen to do what is right! Yet, do not fear, God will not only turn it for our good but for the good of many! We can not lose for winning! “…Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 20:5b
Therefore if you are facing a time of pressure and trials, do not worry. Do as Paul did and choose to rejoice! Do not allow others attitudes or ideas about you because of your trials disturb your composure. Do not let the enemy or anyone else put condemnation on you, trying to make you feel as though you’ve missed it and therefore are going through these trials. If you have missed it, you know it and God will show you it and He will turn it for your good. If these trials have come because you are making such an impact for God’s kingdom, doing what is right, then be determined to not be weary in well doing! Not only will this trial pass but God will turn it for your good! You already have the victory. Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Keep your confession of faith lined up with His word. Do not go by what you see or hear or feel. Just trust in God and in His grace and you will come through victorious and better off than you were before! You win because Jesus won for you already!
Further reading: John 9, 1 Timothy 1, 2 Corinthians 11:23-33, 2 Corinthians 12:1-15, Daniel 6, Daniel 3:8-30
