Trials have a way of revealing the true intentions and agendas of people.
In this special edition daily devotional, we invite you to embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving and cultivate a heart overflowing with gratitude towards the Lord.
As the Apostle Paul advises in Ephesians 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.”
November 28, 2023 By Dr. George Bing
In today's Daily Devotional, we will explore the topic of expressing gratitude to the Lord during trials and the reasons behind it. In a previous Daily Devotional, we mentioned the incident where the Apostle Paul and Silas were thrown into the inner jail in Philippi for holding a prayer meeting. Despite their commitment to doing the Lord's work, they found themselves in a challenging situation, enduring suffering as a result. Have you experienced similar situations where you have lost friends along your faith journey?
There are various reasons why believers may experience losses or the departure of people they value, but often the Lord reveals the purpose behind it. As the wise writer and King Solomon stated in Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." When facing challenging situations, you will truly discover who your true friends are. I firmly believe that the strongest marriages and relationships are built on a foundation of friendship. Similarly, any relationship you develop, especially in your walk with the Lord, should be based on love, trust, and support.
I define love as giving of oneself for another one's benefit; even at your own expense. Trials have a way of revealing the true intentions and agendas of people who we believe are our friends. When you are in a relationship with the Lord, those who genuinely love you will respect and support your commitment. Some individuals will encourage you to draw closer to the Lord, while others may try to pull you in the opposite direction. Through trials, God allows these hidden agendas to be exposed. As the Apostle Paul advises in Ephesians 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.”
Those who have misguided intentions or hidden agendas are not inclined to associate with the light in you. It is important to express gratitude to God for revealing the true nature of people around you. In due course, God will bring genuine individuals who support and care for you into your life at the right moment. As Proverbs 18:24 states, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” What are your thoughts?
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