The Phaneroo Devotion: The Afflictions of the Righteous
Apostle Grace Lubega
Luke 13:1-5 (NKJV): “There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
—
It is sometimes erroneously assumed that whenever bad things happen to believers, it is because they have done something wrong and are therefore under some form of judgment. This is not necessarily true.
In Jesus’ day, some Galileans were killed by Pilate while they offered sacrifices. Jesus asked, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things?” The obvious answer was no.
It is a reality of this world that the righteous sometimes suffer afflictions. They face difficulties and are challenged by certain circumstances. We should not adopt the attitude of Job’s friends, who took the narrow view that his suffering must have been the result of some form of unrighteousness on his part. This was ironic because, in Job 1:8, the Lord Himself boasted of Job as a blameless and upright man who feared God and shunned evil. The righteous go through storms too. But their assurance is that the Lord delivers them from them all (Psalm 34:19).
If you are going through a difficult situation, this devotional is meant to help you not lapse into self-condemnation, as though you are the just recipient of everything that has come your way. It is also a message to those of us who tend to assume that everyone going through a tough time is under judgment for some form of wickedness. It may simply be God perfecting His work in them. It may merely be a chapter in a very great story that will end in victory. Pray for them. Do not judge.
FURTHER STUDY: Psalm 34:19; 2 Corinthians 4:17
GOLDEN NUGGET: The righteous go through storms too. But their assurance is that the Lord delivers them from them all.
PRAYER: Father, I thank You because You are my deliverer and my refuge in every season. I refuse to condemn myself because of the things I may be going through, and I refuse to judge others because of the battles they face. You teach me to trust Your hand even in difficult times, knowing that You are working all things together for my good. I pray for others going through storms with love and understanding. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading …
