Dr. Rick Mandl - September 29, 2020
Jesus Never Said It Would Be Easy
Devotional Manuscript: Jesus Never Said It Would Be Easy
Devotional by Dr. Rick Mandl, Eagle Rock Baptist Church, September 29, 2020
Recordedin Los Angeles, CA.
Hey church family, this week I came across an African proverb that says, “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” Have you ever thought of life in that way? Given the choice, I believe that all of us would want our lives, our work, our relationships with one another, and our finances to be smooth sailing all the time, but life just doesn’t work that way. There will be good times, but there will also be times that are difficult and challenging. Like the times we’re going through right now.
Jesus never said that this life would be easy. In fact what he actually said was the exact opposite. In John 16 and verse 33. Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble.” But thankfully, He didn’t stop there. He went on and said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” I want to share with you a truth from God’s Word, that you may not want to hear, and it’s simply this... There are some things that God cannot accomplish in our lives apart from suffering. Just to make sure you get that, I’ll say it again... There are some things that God cannot accomplish in our lives apart from suffering.
Do you remember the story of the Paul’s conversion in the book of Acts? Paul had been a persecutor of Christians, an enemy of the church, and then he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and Paul becomes a Christian. And then shortly after that Jesus appeared to another disciple named Ananias and said to him these words, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. Now don’t miss this next part... "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Paul was being informed in advance, that he was going to have to suffer. And this was not because God was out to get Paul. It was rather because Paul’s accomplishments and his suffering couldn’t be separated. His sufferings shaped his ministry in incredible ways. And what was true for Paul, will be true for you and me as well. You and I are going to suffer.
Why is it important for us to understand this? It’s important because many of us would like to do the kinds of things that Paul did without having to go through the kinds of things that Paul did. But the reality is... we can’t. If you and I want to be used greatly by God we need to realize God has a blessing in store for those who persevere in the face of suffering. James 1:12 gives us this promise... “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
In this world we will have trouble. That is a certainty. The choice that God gives us, is whether we want to try and tackle that trouble on our own. Or walk with Him through it. If we do that, he gives us the promise that just as He has overcome the world, we can be overcomers as well. Amen.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
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