DAILY DEVOTION No. 44

2 Tim 2:3-4

3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs - he wants to please his commanding officer.

1. Endure Hardship

Jesus said in John 16:33 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. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5 3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 5 All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

Paul says in Acts 14:22 22 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.

So Why Suffering?

a. It is through suffering that we are counted worthy of and have entrance into God's kingdom.

Job says of God in Job 23:10 10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. 1 Peter 5:7 says 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

b. It is through hardships that God is able to mould and fashion us into the image of His son.

As the master potter, God fashions and shapes us through adversity so as to produce a beautiful vessel. Without shaping the rough edges remain. There are wonderful areas of God-like character which could never be developed without the discipline of suffering.

c. Another reason that God permits Christians to suffer is to display the reality of relationship with the Lord.

Our continuing faith in God's goodness testifies to all that God does make a difference. God is glorified as Christians continue to hope in the Lord despite suffering.

d. Through  Suffering our vision of God is made clearer

Through Job's suffering he was able to clarify his vision of God. No matter how well we know God, there is always a deeper revelation, a clearer vision, a fuller understanding that God may impart. This often comes through times of adversity. Job 42:5 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Paul says in Phil 3:10 - That I may know Christ and the power of His resurrection and participate in His sufferings.

2. Separate Yourself From The World

Col 3:1-2 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 1 John 2:15 15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Do we always remember that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost or have we a habit of body that plainly will not bear the light of God on it? We have to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit until both are in accord with the nature of God. Are we forming the mind of Christ? We have the responsibility of keeping our spirit in agreement with His Spirit.

God wants us to live sanctified lives. In other words, we must allow the perfections of Jesus to be manifest in our mortal flesh. Phil 1:11 says 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. The only way we will be filled with fruits of righteousness is to be changed from glory to glory into the likeness of Christ. Heb 12:14 tells us that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. If we truly want to be Christ's disciples we must be right not only in our living but in our motives, in our dreams, and in the recesses of our minds. The purity which God demands is impossible unless I can be re-made within, and this is what Jesus has undertaken to do by His redemption.

You and I must cultivate the fear of the Lord in our lives. Paul says in Phil 2:12 that we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. In 2 Cor 7:1 he also says 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. What will keep us in the fear of the Lord and keep us from the world? It is by living and abiding in the word of God. Like David, the Word of God must be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. David said in Ps 119:11 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

3. Please Jesus Your Commander

John 15:14 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. A soldier becomes a good soldier when he does exactly what his commanding officer asks him to do. We must obey God even if we don't see the reason or benefit of it. It means we obey even when we don't understand. It is obedience even when it hurts.

In Genesis 22 Abraham showed total obedience to God even though he didn't understand, even though it hurt to do so and even though it wasn't to his own benefit. Many Christians are willing to obey God providing His will conforms to their will. 1 John 5:2-3 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 1 John 14:15 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Are you willing to do God's will no matter what? To truly please Him we must conform our will to His will. It is a reverential fear of God that will keep us close to Him and therefore remain as His close friend.

4. Be Ready And Alert

A good soldier is always on guard and ready for battle. He is aware that the enemy could attack at any moment so he is always clothed in his armour. He realizes that he is not just there to look after his own safety but the safety of those dear to him. To be alert is to be watchful or vigilant. We must be people that are constantly on guard.

A good soldier understands the strategies and devices of the enemy. We must be people that are aware of the enemy's devices. We must not give the enemy any opportunity to rob us of victory. We must recognize that if we lose focus at any time or become slack for a moment in our Christian walk it will give him an inroad into our lives.

Proverbs 4:23 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  In other words, keep watch over your life as a watchman would over a city when he is guarding it from attack of the enemy. 1 Corinthians 16:13 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 2 Timothy 4:5 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Prayer

Lord, help me to endure hardships that through them Your glory might be revealed. Help me to live a life of holiness before You and to please You in every way. Help me to guard my heart and mind.

Rod Best