No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

— 1 Corinthians 1-:13

I will be faithful to you and make you Mine and you will finally know Me as the Lord.

— Hosea 2:20

8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

— Hebrews 5:8-9

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

— Philippians 3:8-9

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, salvation and joy from Jesus Christ to you.

For God’s children, suffering can become intense, almost crippling. When weariness takes hold, understanding of God’s proposes can blur as pain numbs the mind and floods the emotions. In times of severe suffering, God calls His people to know and believe He is enough. Sometimes all God is calling us to do is trust Him in the pain. Even I we never understand what God is doing, He is worthy of our trust. God promises not to allow more temptation than we dan endure, in His strength. Jesus calls, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My York upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is east and My burden is light.”

Jesus Himself learned obedience through what He suffered. His firsthand experience allowed Him to demonstrate His perfection and sympathize with our weakness. Suffering is not just painful but purposeful and profitable. After God’s children suffer, they can experientially gain the “surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” No pain in this life exceeds the immeasurable pleasure of knowing Christ Jesus. Suffering also equips God’s people to love, comfort, and support one another. A suffering believer’s testimony of God’s faithfulness and provision glorifies God and offers hope to those in similar pain.