“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie                                

http://www.harvest.org/devotional/daily-devotions/home.ht   

Written by the wise 84 yr old Robert VanHoose @  http://www.homilygrits.com

April 9
Read John 16,
James 1

“Custom Made Suffering”

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is  common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”   1 Corinthians 10:13  NIV

    The amazing fact that every human ever born has DNA that matches no other is mind boggling.  It gives great credence to David’s observation that we are truly wonderfully made.

    God creates us all with distinct physical, mental, and spiritual attributes to equip us to accomplish His purposes.  He gives some great physical strength and athletic ability.  Others get mental prowess to invent, teach, learn, and excel in these areas.  It is amazing to see so much talent in this world.

    We all have different thresholds of strength and weakness, pain and suffering.  We can take heart in knowing that God delights in providing strength to cover our weakness.

    How comforting it is that the God who created us and knows our every weakness has promised that He will never allow any more pain and suffering than he has equipped us to bear without providing His strength to endure it or a means of escape. 

    In my own weaknesses, I stand amazed at the strength, courage and grace with which so many seem to be able to go through suffering that I hate to think having to go through.  How comforting to know that my custom built pain and suffering will never be more than I can endure or escape with God’s help. 

   Father, thank you for sparing me from more pain and suffering than you know I could bear.   In Jesus’ name, Amen