DAILY REFLECTIONS

FRIDAY, 19th August, 2016

THEME: THE GOOD IN ADVERSITY

TEXT: ROMANS 5:1-15

Day - Galatians 1-2 , Night- 2 Chro. 5-6

Memory Verse: Romans 5:3 "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance"

MESSAGE

What good could ever come from failing an examination, for the first time in one's life, or in the final year at the University? None, you might be tempted to say. I had the same inclination until my mentor shared his testimony with me. He was by any standard a brilliant student and so it was a rude shock when he went to check his final year result in the University in the United Kingdom (UK) and did not find his name in the pass list talk less of First Class (from which he started his scrutiny). Out of shame, he relocated to another university to retake the final year in order to obtain his first degree.

It turned out that the Firm which later engaged him as an Article clerk when he eventually graduated would not have been in the position of employing him a year earlier. He spent the 30 years of his professional working career, meritoriously, in that firm and its affiliate in Nigeria, rising to the pinnacle of the firm and making valuable friendship along the way.

When Romans 5:3 says "...we also glory in tribulations.." it does not mean that we rejoice in the trial itself. We rejoice in the knowledge of what God is doing in our lives through the trials that He allows us to experience. This is Apostle Paul's testimony concerning his 'thorn in the flesh' (2 Cor. 12:7-10). The trials you are passing through is not designed to destroy you. It will be your stepping stone to glory.

HYMN: Eng Methodist Hymn Book 527 - Sometimes a light surprises

PRAYER: Merciful Father, please reveal Your mind to me concerning the situation that I am going through and grant me peace. Amen.