Daily Devotions
One Reason God Allows Us to Suffer
Reading for May 12th: 2 Chronicles 9-12
"I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless, they shall be servants to him, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries."
2 Chronicles 12:7-8
"I tell him over and over and over again and he still doesn't get it," says the disgruntled wife about her husband who is shutting her out. "I shout at the top of my lungs and he still doesn't listen!"
"So you nag him and yell at him," replies Dr. Phil in a matter of fact kind of way. "How's that working for you?"
The reason Dr. Phil asks this question is that we tend to do the same things again and again and expect different results. We can't make the connection between our foolish behavior and our suffering in relationships
God sometimes delivers us from the consequences of our foolish choices (see Lot, 2 Peter 2:7-8), but will often allow us to sleep in the bed we've made. And why? That we might know the difference between serving God and serving self.
So take a long look in the mirror. Have you been selfish in your relationships?
How's that working for you?
Father, thank you for your loving discipline. Purify and refine us. Help us to trust you more and remove all thoughts of self this day.
