2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
Devotional
Esther Ahn Kim was born in Korea in the early 20th Century. In 1939,
when Esther was a young music teacher, the authorities forced everyone
to worship their gods. As Esther made her way up the mountain, she
resolved that she would never bow before the idols but only to Jesus.
“Attention!” The shrill voice caused thousands to straighten line by line, accustomed to enforced subservience. The massive crowd of humanity obeyed the order and bowed solemnly to the false god. Esther remained erect with her face and hands reaching toward the sky in worship.
To prepare for imprisonment, Esther memorized chapters in the Bible. She slept without a quilt to prepare herself for the discomfort of prison and ate rotten fruit to adjust to the substandard food that would be fed to her.
It was during this time that Esther sang the great hymns of the faith that thousands had sung before her:
“Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is He, Lord Sabaoth His Name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.” I have discovered, just like Esther, that the ability to worship during the worst days of life is a strategy for victory. When you can’t do anything else ... you can sing!
Esther Ahn’s story will be continued tomorrow.
Practical Application:
1- It is time to leave the pain of your past behind and enjoy the gift of today. Write down three happy childhood memories that you have.
2- List five things for which you are grateful! Share them on social media. #beatdepression!
Declaration:
I will not be in bondage to the pain of my past! Today is the day that the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!
Prayer:
“Jesus, You are the reason that I sing! I purpose to serve You all of the days of my life! Amen.”
“Attention!” The shrill voice caused thousands to straighten line by line, accustomed to enforced subservience. The massive crowd of humanity obeyed the order and bowed solemnly to the false god. Esther remained erect with her face and hands reaching toward the sky in worship.
To prepare for imprisonment, Esther memorized chapters in the Bible. She slept without a quilt to prepare herself for the discomfort of prison and ate rotten fruit to adjust to the substandard food that would be fed to her.
It was during this time that Esther sang the great hymns of the faith that thousands had sung before her:
“Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is He, Lord Sabaoth His Name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.” I have discovered, just like Esther, that the ability to worship during the worst days of life is a strategy for victory. When you can’t do anything else ... you can sing!
Esther Ahn’s story will be continued tomorrow.
Practical Application:
1- It is time to leave the pain of your past behind and enjoy the gift of today. Write down three happy childhood memories that you have.
2- List five things for which you are grateful! Share them on social media. #beatdepression!
Declaration:
I will not be in bondage to the pain of my past! Today is the day that the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!
Prayer:
“Jesus, You are the reason that I sing! I purpose to serve You all of the days of my life! Amen.”
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