DAILY DANNA
MONDAY 8TH JUNE,2020
TOPIC: PERFECTED BY TRIALS
TEXT: JAMES 1:1-15
KEY VERSE: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (JAMES 1:3, 4).
"The tree that never had to fight for sun and sky and air and light, that stood out in the open plain and always got its share of rain, never became a forest king, but lived and died a scrubby thing..." So wrote Douglas Malloch in his poem, _Good Timber._ Similarly, as observed by Mildred Witte Struven, "A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go through the white heat of the furnace to become a porcelain."
That is the case with our faith. Our text makes it clear that the trying of our faith produces patience which in turn works out our perfection. Our attitude therefore when we "fall into divers temptations" is to "count it all joy."
Temptation, as used here, implies trials, persecution and, in some cases, affliction. When a Christian encounters such painful experiences, it does not necessarily imply God's displeasure with him. Often, it is simply a trial of faith which at the end produces a positive outcome.
There is a tendency for an inexperienced believer to misunderstand such situations and succumb to despair. At such times, it takes a good dose of godly wisdom to place things in proper perspective and make right choices in line with God's will.
Is your faith in the furnace of trial? Once you are confident that you have a good relationship with God, do not despair. Be encouraged that the experience will work out patience and perfection. Even if this is not your present experience, prepare your mind for it. It is part of our spiritual growth process.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Trial is the Christian's promotional examination.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 11-12
HIGHER EVERYDAY: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)
MONDAY 8TH JUNE,2020
TOPIC: JUSTICE BASED JUDGMENT*
TEXT:ECCLESIASTES 12:13-14
MEMORY VERSE: "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (ECCLESIASTES 12:14).
Some people live morally reckless lives as if they are lords of their own lives and over the lives of their fellow humans. However, God is the Lord over all. He knows and sees our actions; no action can escape God's watchful eyes. He records them all - good or bad - and offers just reward and punishment.
Justice in the nations may be weak with innocent people being punished while the guilty are set free. But it is not so with God. According to David Augsburger, "The imperfection of justice in this life is the strongest proof that in the next world, justice and vengeance will be fulfilled to the uttermost."
In today's text, King Solomon observed the certainty of God's coming judgment. God's Word also declares, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
However, though the wages of sin is death, God's gift of eternal life is available for those who receive Jesus Christ. Their sins are forgiven and they are declared guiltless. Rejecting Christ and continuing in sin is the basis of condemnation to hell.
QUOTE: No action can escape God's watchful eyes.
CHALLENGE: Though it may tarry, God's judgment is sure.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to obey Your commandments.
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