Daily Devotional

What will it take to separate you from the love of Christ? A lot of money perhaps? Or maybe the loss of a loved one? Perhaps just a little sickness in your life? A few harsh words from family or a close friend? Betrayal, gossip or slander by a fellow Christian?

I recall the martyrs who died valiantly for the love of Christ. Paul was beheaded for preaching the Gospel. Jude, the brother of James, was crucified in A.D. 72. John, the beloved disciple, was sent to Rome from Ephesus. In Rome he was cast into a cauldron of burning oil. Miraculously he survived without injury. He was then banished to the Isle of Patmos, where the book of Revelation was written. Stephen was stoned to death. James, the Less, at the age of 94, was beaten and stoned by the Jews and finally had his brains dashed out with a club.

Would you be able to withstand such hardship for the Kingdom of Christ? Or would you declare, "Jesus does not exist" when the days of tribulation come along? Would you be like Peter and deny Jesus three times?

Some of us go through life an emotional wreck. We are easily swayed by the way we feel. If I feel happy, Ill serve God happily. If I'm sad, God is far from me. If something bad happens, then God does not exist because He caused this "bad" thing in my life. God did not cause that bad thing. He has no pleasure in afflicting His children, according to Lamentations 3:33.

In John 16:33, Jesus warns His disciples that we will experience tribulation in this world. But, He also assures us that He has "overcome the world." Do not be dismayed when tribulation comes, He has overcome your tribulations already. Your God is with you. He never leaves you. He remains faithful to you, even when you are unfaithful to Him — He cannot deny Himself. Do not let Satan rob you of your joy when tribulation comes. Christ has made you more than a conqueror in Him.