*CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL...*
*Date:* Monday, July 31, 2017

*Topic:* STRENGTH THROUGH ADVERSITY
*Read:* 1 Peter 5:6-10

*MEMORISE:* _But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you._ *(1 Peter 5:10)*

*EXPOSITION*
No one enjoys going through a difficult time, yet, there is hardly a life that is completely free of troubles. This is due to the fact that we live in a fallen world, where nothing is perfect in itself. Some of the challenges we experience are not due to our own faults.

Apostle Peter encouraged the believers of his days in their own adverse conditions. The imperial persecution subjected them to severe experiences, to the extent that some were giving up on their commitment to Jesus Christ. For those early Christians, it was persecution that threatened their faith; for us today, it may not be persecution, but poverty, seeming failures, inability to sustain relationship, deteriorating health condition have devastating effects. Peter's words are still echoing loudly, that the best approach in any adverse condition is steadfastness in faith. He explains the reasons in terms of what God can do in the face of adversity *(1 Peter 5:10)*.

The word, *_'Perfect'_* implies the repair which God Himself will do in light of the damages that adversities have caused to His people. God's ability to establish in adversity denotes God's support in the sense of fixing something, so that it stands upright and immovable. He strengthens us in adversity by generating firm inward conviction, which is not moved by external factors.

Finally, God is able to settle His people through adversity by providing the basis upon which we would stand and not be moved in resisting the devil. Humanity suffers for a while, on the one hand, and God calls to eternal glory in Christ, on the other hand. So, in whatever adversity you are, look to God, cling to Him, rely on Him for strength and hope in Him for all-round settlement. He is able *(Psalms 34:5)*.

*PRAYER POINTS*
*1.* Lord, I need your support at all time in whatever occasion, most especially, in times of adversity.
*2.* Lord, give me the confidence to withstand every ungodly pressure, in the period of my adversity.
*3.* Pray for our brethren going through persecution, all over the world.

*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:* Numbers 5-7

Remain Blessed!