Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

3 December 2024

Reading From II Corinthians 1-4

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

 –II Corinthians 1:3-4

     The Lord’s people go through difficult times, tragedies even, but with God, nothing goes to waste.  Sometimes He delivers us from whatever troubling circumstances we find ourselves in and it is in those miracles that we glorify Him for His intervention and the relief that He brings.  Yet even when we are not delivered, He is with us wherever we go and He is ready and willing to bless us with strength, wisdom, comfort, healing and hope as we struggle.  But one of the marvelous things about the Lord is that no matter what happens, He has us covered.  Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil for He is with us. 

     To live is Christ and to die is gain.  Yes, God delivered His people out of the bonds of slavery in Egypt, but He also protected the three Hebrew children while they were in the fire and was with them the whole time.  Sometimes He calms the storm, but other times He is the refuge of calm while the storm continues to rage all around us.  Regardless of what happens, God is there and ultimately we will see the brilliant light of His glory shining through the dark clouds.

     As we make our way through this life on Earth, He guides us forward and if we are willing to listen to His voice, He will teach us and make us stronger as we depend upon Him to do so.  It is in hard times that, if we trust in Him, then our faith will increase.  A testimony is forged in the fires of testing.  It is the story of what God has done for you and through you.  Your story has value.  There are other people who are struggling with similar things that God has already brought you through.  If we are willing to share how God has worked in our lives, it can bring tremendous comfort and help to those who are wrestling as we have.  Glorify God by sharing what He has done for you.

“Lord Jesus, I pray You would give us the courage to tell our story.  Fill us with Your love so that we will have compassion for those who are struggling with the things we have struggled with.  Thank You for the victory You have so graciously provided for us.  We know that You want as many people as possible to know true freedom in You.  I pray that we would be faithful to share the Good News with others.”

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.

–Psalm 91:1-6