6.4.16

 
 
Devotional for Saturday, June 4, 2016
“When Our Faith Is Under Pressure”
 
 
 
 
faith under pressure
by Dona Hake
 
 
 

Today we will continue looking at the Hymn written by Joseph M. Scriven, entitled “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.”   I shared with you yesterday that he wrote this song for his mother that was dealing with an illness.     We know that our Lord is our healer, and by faith we stand upon His Word.   Many times though pain and suffering can hinder our focus therefore causing our hearts to be discouraged. Thank God that Jesus understands, and He is able to lift us up in those times!  Let us look at another verse of this beautiful song “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”.

 
 

“Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.”

Sometimes it seems as if there are seasons in which there is one trial after another. Temptations are around us at all times, so we can answer the first part of this verse with a big “Yes!!!” We all well understand that many times in the midst of trials and temptations that our hearts can lose hope and be tempted to discouragement if we do not stay focused and remain in faith.

 
 
 
I praise God that Jesus knows us inside and out and, He also knows EVERY weakness within us.  Let us seek Him in  prayer and believe that   He will reveal to us those weaknesses. I know this wonderful Friend named Jesus will not only show us us our  weaknesses but He will enable us to learn, grow and become strong in those weak places within our soul.
 
 
 
 
 
I encourage you to take your known weaknesses to Him, and ask Him for wisdom. Also ask Him to reveal in His timing the weaknesses that are within you that you are not aware of. Many times it is when we are standing in the midst of hardships that we awakened to areas within our soul that are weak or broken down. We may think we are so strong to find out differently in the midst of a trial. Let this not discourage our hearts but rather determine we are able  grow in the midst of it all.
 

James 1:2-5The Voice (VOICE)

“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. 5 If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.”

 
 
  • I thank God today that I serve and walk with my good friend Jesus. He said He would share in all of my sorrows, and even though He knows every weakness of your’s and mine, He continues to stand and walk beside us. What a friend we have in Jesus!!