2 TIMOTHY 3:10-11

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

TO PONDER

Do you remember the Bobby McFerrin song from the 1980's, 'Don't Worry Be Happy'? It had a pretty positive message and was a popular hit while I was growing up but I can't help but think it still misses the mark a bit for those of us with faith in Jesus, and it doesn't express the reality of life with Jesus.

Many people have the misguided understanding that when you start following Jesus he makes life smooth sailing for you. Anyone familiar with the Apostle Paul's life and missionary journeys (read the book of Acts if you want to know more) will know that his life was not smooth sailing, neither figuratively or literally. He was arrested and imprisoned multiple times, persecuted for the faith, literally shipwrecked at one point and yet in the midst of all those things, the things he is referring to in the reading, he always saw God at work guiding him through those experiences. Life was not easy for him, it was full of challenges. I am sure he wondered at times if his time was up, I'm sure he also questioned what God was up to in the midst of those circumstances. I do not believe that he was always able to 'not worry and be happy', but what he was able to do was have peace and hope.

Peace in the knowledge that if it was the end of this life for him, that his Lord Jesus was waiting to welcome him into the next. Hope that God may still yet make a way where there seemed to be no way.

Walking with Jesus doesn't make life no worries and all happiness. Jesus doesn't remove that hardships, but he will walk with you through them.

PRAYER: Jesus, thank you that you came to earth to walk with us, to endure and understand suffering, to save and redeem us. Please help me to remember that you are with me when life brings trials and struggles. Help me to remember that you have a place for me in your kingdom, both now in this life and in the next. May that knowledge bring me peace and hope in all circumstances. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle