Bible League: Living His Word I would have lost heart, unless I had believedThat I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. It was Jesus himself who said that '"In the world you will have tribulation"' (John 16:33) and it was the Apostle Paul himself who said that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (II Timothy 3:12). We should not be surprised, then, if we encounter these things in life. Nevertheless, we should not ask God for tribulations and we should not believe God for persecutions. Instead, we should ask and believe for good. We should believe that good is going to happen. In the words of our verse for today, we should believe that we will "see the goodness of the Lord." The Lord has made many promises in the Bible that good of various kinds will come to those who love Him. We should ask and believe the Lord for the fulfillment of these promises. We should have faith and hope in the goodness of the Lord. Indeed, David tells us that he would have lost heart if he had not believed that he would see the goodness of the Lord. Even further, David tells us that he would have lost heart if he had not believed that he would see the goodness of the Lord "in the land of the living." David did not believe the Lord for good only in the next life, but for good in this life. He did not lose heart and give in to fear and dread about tribulations and persecutions because he placed his faith in the God who can come through with good things. Although we live in a world full of trials, troubles, and tribulations, we should look to the Lord in faith for victory despite the evil. Although Jesus told us that in the world we would have tribulations, He also told us to '"be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"' (John 16:33). In Christ we are overcomers and we should put our faith to work by expecting to overcome. Today, then, do not lose heart and give up. Instead, expect to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Expect to see good things come from the Lord. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 44, 45, 46 Psalm 44 -- We have heard with our ears, God; our fathers have told us NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 45 -- My heart overflows with a noble theme NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 46 -- God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 25 Acts 25 -- The Trial Before Festus, King Agrippa NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.”Insight We may be able to understand a God who would forgive sinners who come to him for mercy. But a God who tenderly searches for sinners and then joyfully forgives them must possess an extraordinary love! This is the kind of love that prompted Jesus to come to earth to search for lost people and save them. This is the kind of extraordinary love that God has for you. Challenge If you feel far from God, don't despair. He is seaching for you. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Hosea 5:15 In their affliction they will seek me early.Losses and adversities are frequently the means which the great Shepherd uses to fetch home his wandering sheep; like fierce dogs they worry the wanderers back to the fold. There is no making lions tame if they are too well fed; they must be brought down from their great strength, and their stomachs must be lowered, and then they will submit to the tamer's hand: and often have we seen the Christian rendered obedient to the Lord's will by straitness of bread and hard labor. When rich and increased in goods many professors carry their heads much too loftily, and speak exceeding boastfully. Like David, they flatter themselves, "My mountain standeth fast; I shall never be moved." When the Christian groweth wealthy, is in good repute, hath good health, and a happy family, he too often admits Mr. Carnal Security to feast at his table; and then, if he be a true child of God, there is a rod preparing for him. Wait awhile, and it may be you will see his substance melt away as a dream. There goes a portion of his estate--how soon the acres change hands! That debt, that dishonored bill--how fast his losses roll in! where will they end? It is a blessed sign of divine life if, when these embarrassments occur one after another, he begins to be distressed about his backslidings, and betakes himself to his God. Blessed are the waves that wash the mariner upon the rock of salvation! Losses in business are often sanctified to our soul's enriching. If the chosen soul will not come to the Lord full-handed, it shall come empty. If God, in his grace, findeth no other means of making us honor him among men, he will cast us into the deep; if we fail to honor him on the pinnacle of riches, he will bring us into the valley of poverty. Yet faint not, heir of sorrow, when thou art thus rebuked; rather recognize the loving hand which chastens, and say, "I will arise, and go unto my Father." Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.Jeremiah 21:8 "You shall also say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD, "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 1 Samuel 12:23 "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Matthew 14:19 Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, Proverbs 4:12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble. Matthew 7:13,14 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. • "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Isaiah 35:8 A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it. Hosea 6:3 "So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth." John 14:2 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. 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