Monday, July 31, 2023

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

This week, we will continue to engage our souls in both God’s Word and the words of Christian writers. I know that none of it sounds alluring, as none of it engages the part of us that is driven for comfort and peace; however, it is out of God’s Word and these old devotions that we learn more about ourselves and about the God we serve.

For a few days, we will look at a few writings from John of the Cross. He was born in the 1500s and became a monk. He was named John of the Cross because of his suffering and commitment. This Christian is known for writing The Dark Night of the Soul. In it, he talks about how God engages man’s heart through difficulty and darkness.

Have you ever met someone who was a very strong Christian? You saw their interactions with others and their devotion to God and you thought to yourself that you wanted to be like that, but you felt like it was impossible. I think we have all been in that place where we feel the call is impossible. The fact of the matter is that God calls us and does the work in us. Unfortunately for our flesh, much of that work is done in dark places. You know, the seasons we all try to avoid.

Paul says that we glory in our sufferings because we know that it will eventually produce perseverance, character, and hope.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I know that I try to avoid these dark seasons of my life because they can become very uncomfortable. Let me trust you during these times, knowing that difficulty and pain teach me things I could never learn any other way.

Foster, R. J., & Smith, J. B. (2005). Devotional classics: Selected readings for individuals and groups. HarperSanFrancisco.