Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional
Pain.
By Tracey Ridenour October 1
“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” Psalm 18 verse 6.
What does the word pain mean to you? Maybe tears, broken hearts, physical or mental pain? But they all mean the same thing: hurt. Pain, in its many forms, unfortunately, exists in this old world. It seems that every day we’re faced with another story that breaks our hearts in two. Sometimes, the pain passes right through our very doors, touching us in the safe confines of our homes. It’s just a fact that we will have pain in this world, and every day, it becomes a starker reality.
It’s normal to question, How can a loving God let these things happen? Where is God when adults, children, even animals, are being hurt? Where is God when people are being killed for just trying to help others?
I know where He is. God is right there beside us, with tears streaming down His loving cheeks. He pleads with us to not do these things, and His heart breaks as He sees our choices put everything awry. Yet the minute we cry out to Him with penitent hearts, He comes to wipe our tears. You see, our loving Lord is not far away in the distant sky. No, the very minute we call on Him, He is by our side.
Recently, I found a picture of a woman, hair beautifully styled, a smile on her face, and dressed in the latest fashion. But, as I looked, there was something missing. That something was joy. She had the right clothes and attitude for the world, but not for her Savior. Life has a way of teaching us different things, both good and bad; but if we never live, we never find out what God can do in our lives. If we try to buffer ourselves completely from pain, we’ll never know the joy Christ can bring through changed circumstances.
By the way, the woman in the picture? That was me. Me, before the joy found only in Christ entered my life. As I looked at the photo, I realized that the old me had no idea what was ahead—the trials I’d face, or the joy I would have in the morning. You’re absolutely right, life is hard; but I also know that our God is good! As Ellen White wrote in her book, Reflecting Christ, “Soon the night of trial and suffering would end, and then would dawn the glad morning of peace and perfect day.”1 We’re almost home, my dear ones, don’t give up the race! For as long as we keep going forward, we will receive the prize!
What is that prize? It’s called eternal life! Just imagine: every bad thing that has happened on this earth will be wiped away forever!
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21 verse 4.
Pain.
By Tracey Ridenour October 1
“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” Psalm 18 verse 6.
What does the word pain mean to you? Maybe tears, broken hearts, physical or mental pain? But they all mean the same thing: hurt. Pain, in its many forms, unfortunately, exists in this old world. It seems that every day we’re faced with another story that breaks our hearts in two. Sometimes, the pain passes right through our very doors, touching us in the safe confines of our homes. It’s just a fact that we will have pain in this world, and every day, it becomes a starker reality.
It’s normal to question, How can a loving God let these things happen? Where is God when adults, children, even animals, are being hurt? Where is God when people are being killed for just trying to help others?
I know where He is. God is right there beside us, with tears streaming down His loving cheeks. He pleads with us to not do these things, and His heart breaks as He sees our choices put everything awry. Yet the minute we cry out to Him with penitent hearts, He comes to wipe our tears. You see, our loving Lord is not far away in the distant sky. No, the very minute we call on Him, He is by our side.
Recently, I found a picture of a woman, hair beautifully styled, a smile on her face, and dressed in the latest fashion. But, as I looked, there was something missing. That something was joy. She had the right clothes and attitude for the world, but not for her Savior. Life has a way of teaching us different things, both good and bad; but if we never live, we never find out what God can do in our lives. If we try to buffer ourselves completely from pain, we’ll never know the joy Christ can bring through changed circumstances.
By the way, the woman in the picture? That was me. Me, before the joy found only in Christ entered my life. As I looked at the photo, I realized that the old me had no idea what was ahead—the trials I’d face, or the joy I would have in the morning. You’re absolutely right, life is hard; but I also know that our God is good! As Ellen White wrote in her book, Reflecting Christ, “Soon the night of trial and suffering would end, and then would dawn the glad morning of peace and perfect day.”1 We’re almost home, my dear ones, don’t give up the race! For as long as we keep going forward, we will receive the prize!
What is that prize? It’s called eternal life! Just imagine: every bad thing that has happened on this earth will be wiped away forever!
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21 verse 4.
Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional
Pain.
By Tracey Ridenour October 1
“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” Psalm 18 verse 6.
What does the word pain mean to you? Maybe tears, broken hearts, physical or mental pain? But they all mean the same thing: hurt. Pain, in its many forms, unfortunately, exists in this old world. It seems that every day we’re faced with another story that breaks our hearts in two. Sometimes, the pain passes right through our very doors, touching us in the safe confines of our homes. It’s just a fact that we will have pain in this world, and every day, it becomes a starker reality.
It’s normal to question, How can a loving God let these things happen? Where is God when adults, children, even animals, are being hurt? Where is God when people are being killed for just trying to help others?
I know where He is. God is right there beside us, with tears streaming down His loving cheeks. He pleads with us to not do these things, and His heart breaks as He sees our choices put everything awry. Yet the minute we cry out to Him with penitent hearts, He comes to wipe our tears. You see, our loving Lord is not far away in the distant sky. No, the very minute we call on Him, He is by our side.
Recently, I found a picture of a woman, hair beautifully styled, a smile on her face, and dressed in the latest fashion. But, as I looked, there was something missing. That something was joy. She had the right clothes and attitude for the world, but not for her Savior. Life has a way of teaching us different things, both good and bad; but if we never live, we never find out what God can do in our lives. If we try to buffer ourselves completely from pain, we’ll never know the joy Christ can bring through changed circumstances.
By the way, the woman in the picture? That was me. Me, before the joy found only in Christ entered my life. As I looked at the photo, I realized that the old me had no idea what was ahead—the trials I’d face, or the joy I would have in the morning. You’re absolutely right, life is hard; but I also know that our God is good! As Ellen White wrote in her book, Reflecting Christ, “Soon the night of trial and suffering would end, and then would dawn the glad morning of peace and perfect day.”1 We’re almost home, my dear ones, don’t give up the race! For as long as we keep going forward, we will receive the prize!
What is that prize? It’s called eternal life! Just imagine: every bad thing that has happened on this earth will be wiped away forever!
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21 verse 4.
0 Comments
0 Shares
23 Views
Arabic
French
Spanish
Portuguese
Deutsch
Turkish
Dutch
Italiano
Russian
Romaian
Portuguese (Brazil)
Greek
हिन्दी