“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,”
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed”
Psalms 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
Psalms 34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Isaiah 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.
Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
Hebrews 11:33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. God is ever present in the lives of those who seek Him. He hears their cry for help. He heals their broken heart. He delivers them out of their troubles. Know how much God loves us and how much He wants to direct our path and how His path is perfect for us, why do we keep Him at arms length. Why do we keep our focus on only what we can see in this world? Why is our heart, eyes and ears so easily turned away from God? If His word is not present in our lives everyday it is easy to lose connection. It is like having a new puppy that every shinny thing captures it’s attention. We seem to find the shinny things of our busy lives more important than the peace, rest, joy, hope, love, strength, and power of God. Spend time in His word today for 5 minutes. Spend 5 more minutes thinking about what you just read. I think you will find that God will call these into your mind through out the day as your focus turns from temporary to that which is eternal.
