God's Grace In Tough Times

Dear friends, 

do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, 

as though something strange were happening to you. 

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, 

so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 

- 1 Peter 4:12-13 - 

We can learn a lot walking through tough times.

As we face pain and struggles, our first priority is to show God’s love through it all. And we anticipate the time when God’s glory is revealed.

Over the years, God has pulled us through with His mercy and grace. Therefore, we must not take our eyes off Him. We must continue to depend on His grace to get us through. And we must continue to reflect His love to others.

When life’s burdens oppress us, and when trials are too much to face, we must continue to remember God’s strength in our weakness; He will give us His power and grace.

The increasing darkness of trials only makes the lamp of grace shine brighter. 

 

Joshua 4:1–9

Memorials help us preserve important memories.

God memorialized many important things in the Old Testament, often through festivals and ceremonies.

In this instance the Lord used a simple monument of 12 stones, one for each tribe of Israel, so that in the future the Israelites could tell their children how God stopped the flow of the Jordan River when the 12 tribes walked across with the ark of the covenant to enter the promised land.

********

What things has God done in our lives that we ought not forget?

Think of ways to memorialize them.

We could have a ceremony or create a physical memorial.

We could keep a journal or record of answered prayers and unexpected blessings.

Whatever it takes, we need to foster the memory of God’s work on our behalf.

Remember God!