1 Peter 4:12-13

Some believers like to portray their life as ideal and carefree. But in reality, being a Christian isn’t easy. In fact, sometimes we’ll experience trials that truly test our faith and ability to trust in God.

In today’s passage, Peter refers to times of testing as a “fiery ordeal.” He says we shouldn’t be surprised when adversity comes. It’s important to remember that God has a purpose for our difficulties and will see us through them (Romans 5:3-5). Here are some of the goals He may have for painful experiences:

• At times the Lord uses hardship to cleanse us. Trials drive us to Him. And as we focus on God, we’re increasingly able to see things from His perspective.

• A difficulty in our life may be the Lord’s way of testing us. He could be trying our faith, endurance, or devotion to Him.

• God uses suffering to demonstrate His power to sustain us. When He brings us through challenging times, He glorifies Himself. In turn, this encourages others, because they have witnessed God’s sustaining power in our life.

Ultimately, hardships strengthen our testimony. In the midst of our struggles, we might feel overwhelmed and discouraged. But once the storm has passed, we can often look back and see the Lord’s providential hand carrying us through.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

The world’s definition of comfort is the alleviation of suffering or despair. However, God has a different view: It’s a teaching tool. Because we mature spiritually when we exercise faith, our Father doesn’t remove our troubles but instead gives us the encouragement and strength to work through them.

God sent His Spirit to dwell within everyone who believes, and in that way, our source of help is as close as our own beating heart. When we face affliction and feel as if we can’t bear it, He whispers into our soul, “Yes, you can, because I am here.” There is no healing balm like the voice of God’s Spirit.

In some circumstances, the Spirit directs our mind to a Bible passage. Reading God’s Word is a way to hear directly from Him. A scripture’s personal meaning and application may not be apparent immediately, but God will bring the verse to mind at the time it’s most needed.

When we receive Christ, we are sealed as God’s child. The Lord promises us, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5). He will walk beside us in every trial—and since He is omnipresent, He’s always available to help and comfort us.

1 Samuel 17:20-49

David’s short battle with Goliath was more than a fight between Israel and the Philistines. It was a defense of Jehovah’s name against those who doubted Him. As David pointed out, the only way a boy with a sling could defeat a giant warrior like Goliath was by the Lord’s hand. And that’s exactly what happened.

In facing Goliath, David showed real courage and faith. But we see that what drove him to face the giant was righteous indignation: “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he has dared to defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26). David believed that someone had to wipe away the reproach caused by Goliath’s insults. Since no one else would step forward, he volunteered to defend Yahweh’s name.

At one point or another, we also will find ourselves in a situation that challenges us to stand up for the Lord. At such a time, will we listen to our fears and remain silent? Or will we represent God’s name in the way for which He’s called and equipped us? Our “smooth stones” (v. 40) are the truths from God’s Word. Whatever the outcome appears to be, the battle is the Lord’s, and He gives victory to the faithful.

Ruth 1:1-22

The Christian life isn’t free of responsibilities. God’s Word is filled with His instructions about how to treat people in our various circles and ways to enrich those relationships by giving of ourselves.

Yet many people prefer not to invest in deep friendships, opting instead for acquaintances that demand little. They can talk about pop culture, movies, and sports but avoid discussing deep concerns. They don’t have to bear anyone else’s burdens or heartbreak. But neither will they learn the joy of expressing care and loyalty. The human heart was created for intimate fellowship—the kind of connectedness that is based on mutual trust and love.

Ruth is an example of this kind of selfless dedication. When her mother-in-law Naomi went through a bitter period of loss and hopelessness, the young widow Ruth chose to stay with the older woman. Though this meant sacrificing the comforts of home and any prospect of marriage to a countryman, she demonstrated absolute allegiance.

Loyalty demands something of us, but too few are willing take on that responsibility. Some hold acquaintances at arm’s length to avoid obligation or inconvenience. But our Father wants His children to stand together in love and encourage one another (John 13:34; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Doing so always brings blessings.

Ruth 4:13-22

Ruth’s remarkable loyalty is what earned her a place in both the Bible and the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-5). Ruth is an example of faithfulness—she willingly adjusted her own life to meet the needs of her mother-in-law Naomi.

With no family left to care for her and no neighbors who shared her faith in God, Naomi found herself in a foreign land, far from the comfort of a familiar community. During that dark time, Ruth—her son’s widow—sacrificed everything to stay by Naomi’s side. The younger woman even chose to move to a foreign country and to worship Naomi’s God.

Ruth was undoubtedly aware of the risks involved in casting her lot with another woman in a male-dominated society, but she did so without hesitation. And her commitment did not end when they arrived in Israel. It was Ruth who kept the two women fed. And it was Ruth, under Naomi’s tutelage, who made an alliance with Boaz that secured their future.

Ruth sacrificed mightily for her mother-in-law, and as a result, God blessed her greatly. He loved her and gave her a husband, a home, and a child. Moreover, Ruth is counted among the ancestors of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. What an awesome testimony of the blessings bestowed on a loyal heart.

Nehemiah 1:1-11

Nehemiah demonstrates the power of prayer. As a servant to the king of Persia, he had no right to request leave to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, much less to requisition materials and protection. Yet knowing the God to whom he prayed, Nehemiah did not hesitate to act boldly and ask the king for assistance.

His prayer began, “Please, Lord God of heaven” (Neh. 1:5). Lord, when capitalized this way, means the One “who is eternal in His being”—in other words, Jehovah. When God makes a promise, He knows how He’ll keep it. That’s why Nehemiah called Him “the great and awesome God, who keeps the covenant.”

Another Hebrew name for God is Elohim, meaning “He who is sovereign.” This name refers to the Creator and speaks of His omnipotence. He spoke the world into being, so Nehemiah knew He was more than able to provide all that was needed.

The Bible contains many other names for God, such as Adonai (“master”), Jehovah-Jireh (“provider”), and Jehovah-Rapha (“healer”). Since the Hebrew language is precise, it can help us to better know who the Lord is. Then, we’ll confidently turn to Him in any situation: When we need solace, we call upon the God of comfort; in our confusion, we have the God who teaches. Always remember, the way we view God impacts how we pray.

Proverbs 11:24-25

Generosity is an attitude of gladly sharing whatever we might have, regardless of our wealth. Scripture reveals that openhanded lavishness is an attribute of God (Deuteronomy 28:12). And as part of His transformative plan for believers, the Father desires that we develop a generous spirit.

A bighearted approach to our time and material goods starts by giving ourselves to God. When we accept that He owns everything, we will be able to hold our share more loosely. But the choice to nurture generosity is based on our trust. Instead of adding figures to see what little amount might safely be set aside for charity, Christians should give sacrificially by faith. Hebrews 13:16 (NIV) tells us, “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” The Lord responds by supplying enough to cover the gift and our own need (Luke 6:38). Only through giving do we learn that we can never outgive God.

Some believers choose selfishness and rebellion, but God promised a form of poverty—whether financial, emotional, or spiritual—to those who do. Instead, let’s choose to cultivate a generous spirit for the Lord.