Thank you for joining us as we have worked our way through the book of Revelation. As Pastor David continues to help us unpack the rest of the book, we are going to turn our attention in our daily devotions to the different themes found in John’s writing. For the next four weeks, we’ll dive into themes in the book of Revelation and explore how they align with the rest of Scripture.
This week we will explore the ideas of perseverance and being a faithful witness. What does it look like to stand firm in what we believe, resisting corruption and remaining loyal to God in the midst of difficult things?
Day 5: Testing of Faith
Read James 1:2–4
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Read Revelation 14:12
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
Joy is rarely the first thing that comes to mind when I think about trials in my life. It is more something like frustration, sadness, or anger. James’ words make me shake my head a little as I consider how difficult a task it is to count something that causes me pain as a source of joy. …At least when I am in the middle of a struggle. And forget about the patient endurance that Revelation calls the faithful to. I want to speed right through difficult times before I have any need of patience!
The challenge is not to get stuck in the middle of whatever difficulty we might be facing, but to try to see beyond it. God has this wonderful ability to take whatever we are facing and use it to teach us and to draw us closer to Him if we allow Him to. Our most difficult circumstances can turn out to be the things that have the most power to transform us into the people God is calling us to be.
Whatever you are facing today, would you consider letting God have it in order to shape and direct your life? Would you allow Him to move in a way so that you are growing through adversity?
Reflection: How can you shift your mindset to see a current trial as an opportunity for spiritual growth?
