December 13 Devotion - In Time of Adversity

We are pressured in every way, but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; 9 hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed;

فَالصُّعُوبَاتُ تُضَيِّقُ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ جِهَةٍ، وَلكِنْ لَا نَنْهَارُ. لَا نَجِدُ حَلاً مُنَاسِباً، وَلَكِنْ لَا نَيْأَسُ. 9 يُطَارِدُنَا الاضْطِهَادُ، وَلَكِنْ لَا يَتَخَلَّى اللهُ عَنَّا. نُطْرَحُ أَرْضاً، وَلَكِنْ لَا نَمُوتُ.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

اتَّكِلْ عَلَى الرَّبِّ بِكُلِّ قَلْبِكَ، وَعَلَى فِطْنَتِكَ لَا تَعْتَمِدْ.

Proverbs 3:5

The definition of adversity as per the dictionary is:

1. A state of hardship; distress; or affliction

2. An unfortunate event or incident

The Church in Egypt is currently facing adversity. Today there was a mass funeral for all of the 25 people murdered during Sunday mass by a suicide bomber.

I believe adversity can be handled in one of two ways:

v     We can deal with it on our own. This requires human strength and effort, which are rarely sufficient in handling grievous trials. Heartache erodes human ability.

OR

v     We can allow God to carry our burden for us. This is the wiser course of action. His ability to provide goes beyond our greatest imagination. He is the God who has the ability to calm every storm.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for the Christian victims of persecution:

Abba Father, thank You for the riches of Your grace and mercy. Thank You Lord that while our Christian brothers and sisters are feeling pressured in every way, we pray that You make sure that they are not crushed; while they feel perplexed and unsure of what to do, we pray that You make sure that they are not driven to despair. Father God they are being hunted down and murdered, we pray that You strengthen them and help them know that You will never desert them. Lord they have been struck down, but we know that You will never let them be destroyed. Jesus in Your name we pray, help them to hold fast to their faith in You and surrender to You and to leave all their troubles at the foot of Your Cross for You to handle. To You Jesus be the power, the glory, the majesty, the blessings, and the dominion forever and ever, and unto ages of all ages. Amen.

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein