DAILY?READINGS: 2 Kings 24; Lamentations 4-5; 2 Timothy 1
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Psalm 119:71
Afflictions, sufferings or persecutions need not be bad. Some are good. They teach us lessons that God wants us to learn. The caterpillar struggles to come out of the cocoon with strengthened wings to enable it to soar into the sky. Without that struggle it will just drop to the ground. God answered Paul’s prayer to have his thorn in the flesh removed—not removing it but providing His grace to bear it. Are you learning precious lessons from God through sufferings? Look up to Him. His grace is sufficient. —K. C. Ung
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. —John Rippon