Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 3:10-13.
“Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:10-13.
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“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20.
But, there is hope!
“… what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!” Verse 11.
“The righteous cry, and the LORD hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17.
The following is a devotion that I wrote in 1992. I share this devotion (with minor edits) for three reasons. First, it fits so well with today’s devotion. Second, it encourages us to remember the faithfulness of God and to write down our testimony to help us remember. Third, it gives a sample devotion of another more personal set of my devotions which can be accessed through clicking on the Head-note Tag at the top of my web site titled “Gold Mining”.
GOLD MINE 4: I KINGS 17
MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT GOD DELIVERS US OUT OF THEM ALL
September 29, 1992
Harry:
The devotion that I had today was 1 Kings Chapter 17. It is helping me through another tough time.
I learned two major lessons through 1 Kings Chapter 17. First, just because God helps us through one trial does not mean that there will be no more trials. Second, God helps us often through humble and unexpected means.
In 1 Kings Chapter 17, God delivered Elijah from a drought through a miraculous provision of ravens at Cherith (Kerith) brook. However, the brook dried up. Then, God delivered Elijah through he miraculous provision of a widow and her handful of flour and a little oil in the jar. However, the widow’s son became so sick that there was no breath left in him. Then, God returned the son’s life to him.
Likewise, after God’s financial delivery of me on September 3, 1992, I first thought that I would face no more financial trials at least for a while. But now, I am again faced with another financial trial. I cannot depend on circumstances. I cannot depend on having life without troubles. I can only depend on God Who delivers us out of all our troubles.
“17 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:17-19.
We cannot determine or know how many trials we will face or how God will deliver us. Too often, I set my hope having no more trials. Too often, I set my hope on receiving a check in the mail. Very often, God uses other and often humble and unexpected means to deliver me, time and time again.
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“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Psalm 91:1-4.
“I will sing of the lovingkindness of the LORD forever;
To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.” Psalm 84:1.
“For the LORD is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:5.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 