LET TRIALS PURIFY YOU!

 

Saturday, July 25, 2026

 

LET TRIALS PURIFY YOU!

 

1 Peter 1:6-7

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

         Trials are not an inducement to sin. Trials are to “test our metal.” Precious metals are subjected to incredible heat to remove impurities. Peter likens our trials and troubles to that refining fire. So, in times of great distress, allow the experience to drive you to God and drive you to your knees. Ask God to reveal and remove your impurities.

 

         Charles Stanley said there are no less than ten things to consider when you are going through a trial.

 

1.    God is in control of the time & intensity of my trial.

2.    God has a specific purpose for my trial.

3.    This trial is designed to meet a specific need.

4.    The trial will be good for me if I respond in faith.

5.    This trial can strengthen my faith.

6.    This trial is an opportunity to demonstrate perseverance under pressure.

7.    This trial will develop Christlikeness in me.

8.    This trial will help me measure my spiritual maturity.

9.    God will walk me through my trial.  (“The Lord is at hand!”)

10.By God’s grace and power, I will overcome this trial.

 

 

Ps 91:14-15

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

 

         God has promised to answer you when you pray. Verse 15 promises that He will be with you in trouble. Do you sense His presence even in difficulty? He plans to deliver you and honor you. Watch for it – wait for it. It’s coming.

 

Dear Lord, many of my friends are going through extreme difficulty. Please be with them and hurry to help them. AMEN

 

MY PRECIOUS BURDEN!

 

Friday, July 24, 2026

 

MY PRECIOUS BURDEN!

 

Ps 55:22

22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

 

          Interestingly, the Hebrew word for “burden” in Psalm 55:22 is strictly translated “what is given.” It is something received. I think it might have been given intentionally! One of Merriam – Webster’s definitions of “burden” is “responsibility!” Perhaps your burden is your job or some illness. Maybe it is worrying over a troubled teen who is struggling to find his or her way. My current ministry is to care for my wife as we both age. It has been given and I have received it.

 

          Because I write a devotional every day, I subscribe to several online devotionals myself. I often need a starter to pique my creativity. Well, the following is shamelessly stolen from the late Dr. Adrian Rodgers. I think it wonderfully fits.

 

 “I read about a man who had a very fine dog who loved the water. One day the dog was playing in the lake and the man decided to leave. He called the dog, but the dog wouldn’t come. He called him several times; he wouldn’t come. It was a well-trained dog, but he just would not come. The man finally threw a stick out in the water. When the dog saw it, he swam over, got the stick, and came back and laid it at his master’s feet. It just may be that God has given you a burden because He can’t get your attention. He wants you to come and lay it at your Master’s feet.”

 

So, today I will look at my burdens differently. I will see them as the ringing of my spiritual telephone. God is on the line and wants to talk. He is willing to trade my burden for a little of my time.

 

Dear Lord, Thank you for my burden. I am sorry that you must resort to such means in order to get my attention. I love you, Lord. AMEN

 

DIVINE DETOURS!

Thursday, July 23, 2026

 

DIVINE DETOURS!

 

Ex 13:17-18

17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed (able bodied and armed) out of the land of Egypt.

 

          The word “near” in verse 17 is the same that is used to describe a near kinsman. It indicates a route that is familiar, comfortable, and much shorter. The reason is that this rag tag group of rebel slaves were not prepared to meet the well-trained and equipped  armies of the Philistines. They would have likely been defeated, discouraged, and would have repented of their own freedom so God took them through the way of the wilderness.

 

          This wilderness way brought them into a trap between two mountains on either side, the Red Sea in front, and Egyptian armies behind. Only God could save them now! What a perfect time for a miracle.

 

          Maybe you are confused by the route by which God is leading you. It is not familiar, it is not comfortable, and it seems dangerous or costly. If this is the case, then be on the lookout for miraculous intervention because God knows the way. Trust Him and follow.

 

Dear Lord, we have walked this way before and here we are safe! How quickly we forget your protection and provision along Divine Detours. Grant us the faith to trust you and to follow. AMEN