11-23-2019, 03:08 PM
*THE LIVING WATER*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE*
*Saturday, November 23, 2019*
*TOPIC: SORROW WILL TURN TO JOY (I)*
*Read John 16:19-22*
*MEMORISE: _Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy_ (John 16:20)*
*EXPOSITION*
As Jesus was preparing to depart the face of this earth, He made the statements in our memory verse for today, to comfort His obviously disturbed disciples. Expectedly, His departure would rattle them, hence, the talk about weeping, lamenting, and being sorrowful. This happens differently in all ages. One is forced to ask why people, Christians inclusive, experience weeping and sorrow.
God allows us to go through bitter experiences for His glory. For instance, Christ's death was indispensable, because, without it,our redemption would have been eternally impossible. Also, Jesus compared it to the labour pains of a woman *(Jn. 16:21)*. No pain, no gain; no story, no glory; no risk taken, no city taken *(cf. Psa. 126:5; Rom. 8:18).* Anguish disappears as soon as the woman gives birth. Joy is the end of our experiences here on earth, regardless of how bitter they are.
Moreover, God hasn't guaranteed us immunity against life's troubles *(Phil. 1:29; Jn. 16:33).* The joy is that He has overcome everything for us *(1 Cor. 15:57)*. Hence, we can go through the attendant pains with His provisions. Of a truth, God allows painful situations to make, and not to mar us. The experience of Israel summarised in Psalms 66:11ff caps it all.
In all of these, we have Christ's assurance that joy would replace our sorrow, immediately and ultimately *(Jn. 16:22).* However, there is no such assurance for anyone who rejects the ultimate Provision of God for our redemption, in Christ Jesus *(Jn. 3:16ff).*
*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Lord Jesus, I trust in Your Word that there is light at the end of the tunnel of my life, regardless of what I am passing through now.
2. Pray for brethren who are going through hard times for the sake of the gospel, that God should intervene in their matter, speedily.
3. Pray for widows, widowers and orphans everywhere, that God should take care of their needs, according to His riches in glory, through Christ Jesus.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Ezekiel 12:8 - 14:19; James 1:16 - 2:9*
*Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE*
*Remain blessed!*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE*
*Saturday, November 23, 2019*
*TOPIC: SORROW WILL TURN TO JOY (I)*
*Read John 16:19-22*
*MEMORISE: _Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy_ (John 16:20)*
*EXPOSITION*
As Jesus was preparing to depart the face of this earth, He made the statements in our memory verse for today, to comfort His obviously disturbed disciples. Expectedly, His departure would rattle them, hence, the talk about weeping, lamenting, and being sorrowful. This happens differently in all ages. One is forced to ask why people, Christians inclusive, experience weeping and sorrow.
God allows us to go through bitter experiences for His glory. For instance, Christ's death was indispensable, because, without it,our redemption would have been eternally impossible. Also, Jesus compared it to the labour pains of a woman *(Jn. 16:21)*. No pain, no gain; no story, no glory; no risk taken, no city taken *(cf. Psa. 126:5; Rom. 8:18).* Anguish disappears as soon as the woman gives birth. Joy is the end of our experiences here on earth, regardless of how bitter they are.
Moreover, God hasn't guaranteed us immunity against life's troubles *(Phil. 1:29; Jn. 16:33).* The joy is that He has overcome everything for us *(1 Cor. 15:57)*. Hence, we can go through the attendant pains with His provisions. Of a truth, God allows painful situations to make, and not to mar us. The experience of Israel summarised in Psalms 66:11ff caps it all.
In all of these, we have Christ's assurance that joy would replace our sorrow, immediately and ultimately *(Jn. 16:22).* However, there is no such assurance for anyone who rejects the ultimate Provision of God for our redemption, in Christ Jesus *(Jn. 3:16ff).*
*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Lord Jesus, I trust in Your Word that there is light at the end of the tunnel of my life, regardless of what I am passing through now.
2. Pray for brethren who are going through hard times for the sake of the gospel, that God should intervene in their matter, speedily.
3. Pray for widows, widowers and orphans everywhere, that God should take care of their needs, according to His riches in glory, through Christ Jesus.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Ezekiel 12:8 - 14:19; James 1:16 - 2:9*
*Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE*
*Remain blessed!*