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“Steadfastness in the Face of Adversity”

Thoughts for Today:

Keep in mind that Paul was in Corinth when he wrote this Epistle to the Romans. He desperately wanted to be there with them and minister to them in person. He wasn't at that time able to accomplish his goal, but it wasn't from a lack of effort. When Paul said, "I have often been hindered," it was not an understatement. Such is the case with many of our endeavors as we try to faithfully serve our Lord.

My most recent medical/evangelical mission to Sudan was originally scheduled for March. We didn't end up going until October. Why? Because a volcanic cloud (from the volcano in Iceland), drifted over northern Europe, and brought international travel to a standstill. Jim West and I were at the airport, waiting to board our plane when we found our flight had been cancelled. Later, many people asked, "Do you think it's a sign from God? Maybe it's too dangerous there, and you shouldn't go."

Undeterred, our group rescheduled the trip for October. Why? Because God hadn't called us to anything else in its place. As far as we were concerned -- we were to do the last thing He told us to do, unless or until, He tells us to do something different. By doing so, we modeled Paul's example of steadfastness in the face of adversity. Of course our situation was nowhere near the level of difficulty Paul encountered as he attempted to travel to Rome (shipwrecks, sickness, and more). Nonetheless, we were hindered in our missionary efforts as well.

Questions to Ponder:

It is a fact of Christian life that things won't always go smoothly as we follow God. In fact, many times our experience is just the opposite. Unfortunately, many people think adversity is God's way of saying that we are on the wrong path. Most of the time the reverse is true. Consider 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3: "We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God's service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them." How have you been managing the trials in your life? How should you?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.