Day 304: Perfect Through Suffering

Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-11

Central Thought: We can learn from Christ’s example that suffering is part of God’s plan for our lives.

‘Sure I want to succeed in life—as long as I do not have to do anything to get there.” Would anyone want to buy a book written by someone with such a life philosophy? Granted, the idea of success without effort sounds great; but as any student of life knows, it just does not work. Those who succeed at some endeavor learn that they have to apply effort and can expect difficulties in achieving their goals.

No success story comes close to that of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ’s sufferings were central in leading others to salvation. God honored His Son who faithfully completed His mission (sufferings included), paid the price for our sins, and rose victoriously from the grave.

If Christ’s sufferings completed God’s plan for our redemption, we cannot expect to ignore suffering in our lives. Rather than fearing suffering or complaining that God is unfair by allowing us to suffer, we need to understand that we have the privilege of identifying with our Lord. Our sufferings can never provide salvation to the lost, but they can testify to the reality of Christ’s work in our lives.

Devotional Prayer: Lord, help me to keep my confidence in You when I am suffering.

Today’s Bible Reading: Lamentations 4:1-5:22; Hebrews 2:1-18; Psalm 103:1-22; Proverbs 26:23