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It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71
D.L. MOODY
Could a life of ease ruin a man? Yes. If he had nothing but prosperity, he would be ruined. A man can stand adversity better than prosperity. I know a great many who have become very prosperous, but I know few such that haven’t lost all their piety, that haven’t lost sight of that city eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker is God. Earthly things have drawn their heart’s affections away from eternal things.
ERWIN LUTZER
Every adversity or famine we encounter is a test of our trust in God. In Genesis 12, God told Abraham to leave all he knows and to go into the land He would show him. Abraham obeyed but discovered the land was already inhabited. Abraham built an altar of worship, confirming God had chosen the land of Canaan for him. Yet in that very land, a severe famine came and Abraham began to panic. He fled to Egypt, and there he sinned. To save his life, he lied to Pharaoh about his wife saying she was his sister. When the truth was revealed, Abraham was forced to leave in disgrace and return to the land God had given him. Once again, the altar appeared, and Abraham was back in fellowship with God (Genesis 13:3–4). Simply put: Because of fear, he had failed the test God had given him. What we do when the wells of our life are dry is a test of our character.
But in the end, Abraham died a pilgrim, looking forward to a city and a hope beyond this present world (Hebrews 11:10). God says, in effect, “I will sustain you in the midst of the famine. It may be difficult, but don’t give up hope.” And the reason we should not give up hope is because God doesn’t leave us—even when we leave Him.
PRAYER
Father, grow my faith in you all the more in times of difficulty. Let me believe in you even when I see no way out of my predicament.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Looking back through your life, how have you seen God’s provision for you along the way?Read James 1:2-4. How might difficulties in your life be an opportunity to grow in faithfulness to the Lord?