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READ | James 1:1-4
Yesterday’s devotion noted that Joseph suffered 13 years before he
was pulled from adversity. God could have fixed that mess more quickly
or, better yet, prevented Joseph from enduring it at all. But can you
imagine a 17-year-old boy skipping into Egypt and sitting down at
Pharaoh’s right hand? Certainly the Lord’s power could make such an
unlikely event happen. But would a slightly arrogant, ignorant Hebrew
teenager make a good leader? Not until God made him into one.
Our suffering lasts only as long as necessary for God to accomplish
His purpose. He is interested in equipping servants and molding
followers rather than in providing carefree lives. Yet the Father deeply
loves His children—that’s why He shares in their hurts and limits the
hardship so it doesn’t extend one moment beyond its usefulness.
Adversity is God’s sharpest and strongest tool for re-forming
believers to Christ’s image, but He will not force change. The Lord
molds His children in proportion to their willingness to be shaped for
divinely appointed work. We can refuse to submit to His craftsmanship,
but rebellion only prolongs the pain. The wise approach is to say, “God,
I do not understand why You have allowed this hardship, but I am
willing to follow You through it.”
The faithful child of God emerges from trials prepared and equipped
to serve God. This is the believer who values obedience and prioritizes
prayer and Bible study long before adversity comes. When the going gets
tough, he knows that the Holy Spirit’s power is sufficient to carry him
through.