When Jesus Is Revealed

 July 29, 2024

Monday

Satan is a defeated angel who seeks to hurt God anyway he can. He is formidable but he is not omnipotent, omniscient nor omni-present. He has a myriad of demons who support him but he cannot act without God's permission. Yes, God gives him permission for the purpose of strengthening His followers. God wants us to walk with Him. Trials will either bring us much closer than anything will or they will find us falling into the temptations of the devil to get off the the path in which we walk with God. Endurance on this path results in praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:6–7 (NASB 2020) ⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

James tells us that faithfully walking through these trials will also result in endurance for ourselves. That means we will be stronger in our faith than we were before. God wants us growing in our faith. He wants us to have more faith each day. Faith is not an off and on switch. It grows and shrinks. God intends for us to know Him. Walking with Him through tough trials accomplishes this.

James 1:2–3 (NASB 2020) ² Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

There are always limits to the trials. They are never intended for us to fail in them. This, also, accomplishes God's purpose. We know that there is a limit and must know there is a limit or there is no reason to go on. We need to know that we can make it through these trials. That same word translated "trials" in the past two passages is translated "temptation" in the passage by Paul.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB 2020) ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

God has a way to endure the trials that bring the temptation. Sometimes that means telling God you can't do it without Him. You need God's strength. That's how you stand up under difficulties.

Philippians 4:13 (NASB 2020) ¹³ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

All of this is the truth. Satan always wants to keep us away from the truth because he can see us defeated if we stray from the truth. His plan has never changed. He causes you to doubt the truth, deny the truth and disobey the truth. Look at the story of  Adam and Eve. Satan caused Eve to doubt the truth. Then, he denied the truth. Adam and Eve examined the tree they were supposed to avoid eating from and ate. Once the truth is gone, Satan has won.

Trials are coming your way. I can guarantee it. Faithfulness is very possible for His followers. I can guarantee that, too. But just because you know you can be faithful doesn't mean you must. That's your part. Look for the praise, honor and glory when Jesus is revealed.