Today’s Devotion
Topic: Surely, It Was For My Benefit That I Suffered!
Text: Isaiah 38:17
Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back. Amen.
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.'”
When Hezekiah recovered from his sickness, He wrote a prayer of gratitude saying “Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back. For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness.” (Isaiah 38: 17-19).
Beloved, sometimes the trials that rise against us are beyond comprehension. Especially for those of us who, though not perfect, strive to please the Lord always. Apostle James encourages all such believers to count it all joy whenever faced with trials of many kinds, for the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. And when steadfastness has had its full effect, we become perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)
Encourage yourself in the Lord. It is not over till God says so. Turn your face away from the problem and look to God in prayer. He will bring you help from His dwelling place and give you a testimony of praise.
His love will keep you from destruction while He puts your sins behind His back. You shall not die but live to declare the wonders of the Lord. After all, the grave cannot praise Him; it is the living that will praise Him and tell of all His faithfulness.
Begin to pray all your challenges to God. HE CARES FOR YOU AND HE UNDERSTANDS. Very soon, when like Hezekiah, the Lord delivers you, you will share a testimony like he and Job did; saying “surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish”, and praise the Lord all the way! For He will deliver you from the desires of the enemy and bless you with long life and prosperity.
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