Another good devotional, I think, and worth reading.

Phil.


Subject: GOD'S MINISTRY OF DARKNESS


> GOD'S MINISTRY OF DARKNESS
>
>
> 2 Corinthians 4:11:
>
>
> For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for
> Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in
> our  mortal flesh.
>
>
> What is the point of troubled times in our lives? What is God trying
> to do? What is He trying to teach us? Peter wrote, "Beloved, do
> not  be surprised at
> the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as
> though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the
> degree  that you share
> the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at  the
> revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation." (1 Peter 4:12,
13).
>
> In God's ministry of testing, we learn a lot about ourselves.
> Whatever is left of simplistic advice such as "Read your Bible" or
> "Just work harder" or "Pray
> more," gets stripped away. Most people going through testing times
> would love to resolve the crisis, but they seemingly can't and don't know
why.
>
> In God's ministry of darkness we learn compassion. We learn to wait
> patiently with people. We learn to respond to the emotional needs of
> people who have lost hope. We weep with those who weep. We don't try
> to teach or  instruct or advise. If God took away every external
> blessing and reduced our  assets to nothing more than meaningful
> relationships, would that be enough to sustain us? Yes, I believe it
would.
>
> Perhaps God brings us to the end of our resources so we can discover
> the vastness of His. We don't hear many sermons about brokenness in
> our churches
> these days, yet in all four Gospels Jesus taught us to deny
> ourselves, pick  up our cross daily, and follow Him. I don't know any
> painless way to die to
> ourselves, but I do know that it's necessary and that it's the best
> possible  thing that could ever happen to us.
>
> "No pain, no gain," says the body builder. Isn't that true in the
spiritual
> realm as well (Hebrews 12:11)? Proven character comes from
> persevering   rough the tribulations of life (Romans 5:3-5). Every
> great period of personal
> growth in my life and ministry has been preceded by a major time of
testing.
>
>
> Prayer:
>
>
> Lord, I submit to Your testing so I may come to the end of my
> resources and joyfully discover Yours.
>