Why Am I Going Through This?

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Friday, November 13, 2015
Chapters: Acts 9-10
Message Title: Why Am I Going Through This?

Hello My Friend,

Did you ever notice that sometimes when you are in the will of God nothing seems to go right? No matter what you do you can't move forward, and that vision you had seems to be diminishing? You get to the point that you wonder if you are really in the will of God or doing something horribly wrong. You know, God knows that once we chose Christ there were going to be some challenges, not only do we have the devil and other people to deal with, we have our own flesh to deal with. So, why are we going through these things and how do we get out of them? Keep looking to Jesus and obeying His Word. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” - Proverbs 29:18.

“but he that keepeth the law,” We all have laws to obey, there are laws of God and laws of man. When the laws of man get in the way of the laws of God it causes a great problem for the Christian. While we are to respect the laws of man, we must never compromise the laws of God. Saul, being taught under the laws of Pharisees was on a mission, he was going to capture every person who professes and preaches Christ and bring them back to Jerusalem to face judgment. On his way to Damascus something strange happened, someone began speaking.

“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.” - Acts 9:3-8.

“it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Prick, to pierce with a sharp pointed instrument or substance. Saul was doing what he thought was the right thing to do under the laws of God, but he was actually resisting His laws by convicting His people. You see, Saul believed in God and followed the laws of Moses, but didn't believe that Jesus was the Son of God. You can't believe in God and not Jesus, doing so always pricks or convicts us until we realize the truth. We may be going through something because we have been resisting God's law, the only way we can overcome it is by praying, listening to the Holy Spirit, and reading His Word, as we do these things, He will direct us to the truth. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” - Romans 8:26,27.

While hidden sin may cause challenges, most of the time, if you are walking with Christ daily, it's not that, in fact, it may be that God wants us to do something that seems kind of strange and not in His will. Jesus also spoke to a man named Ananias, he was a Christian and disciple of Christ, Jesus gave him the task of helping Saul, who everyone knew persecuted Christians. “And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.” - Acts 9:10-16.

“for he is a chosen vessel unto me,” While we think that some people are beyond salvation, we never know who God can prick the heart of to be saved, and used for serving Him. It often takes those faithful to Christ to reach those who are either lost or backslidden, and while it may seem strange to us, it's not strange to God. I for one much rather be a chosen vessel of honor for Jesus rather than one of dishonor. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” - 2 Timothy 2:19-21.

Now, Peter being brought up in the Jewish culture himself still followed some of their customs, such as not eating animals that were considered unclean under the law. In an odd circumstance, God used a saved Roman soldier, named Cornelius to show him that the Gospel of Christ eliminated the need for Jewish customs held under the Law, and that salvation was for not only the Jews.
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” - Acts 10:1-5,24-28.

“I should not call any man common or unclean.” Not one person born is better than another, we are all sinners, we all have needs, emotions, and react differently to certain situations. Sometimes we face challenges because we are hindering God from working in us by making our own laws. Jesus did not die on the cross for one group of people, He died for all, whether we choose to believe that or not is our own choice. We will suffer if we deny anyone the opportunity to know Christ when the Holy Spirit lays it upon our heart to witness to them. As Christians our first and far most task is to preach the Gospel of Christ to anyone God lays upon our heart. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;” - Romans 2:9-12.

Today's Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for willingly giving Yourself as payment for the debt I owe for my sins, for seeing something in me that You chose me to be a vessel for You. Lord, I do not know why You have chosen me, but I do know that You will be with me, guiding me along the way as You direct my path. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power, strength, and wisdom to discern false doctrine, let me know how to explain the truth to others, and give me compassion on the lost and the boldness to preach Your Gospel to all You lay upon my heart. Keep me looking to You when I am tired and weary, and help me get up when I feel like giving up the fight. In Your name, Jesus, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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