John 6:60 Devotion by Stephen Taylor

John 6:60

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"

 

Can we accept the hard times as well as the easy ones? Recently, it has been a struggle for me, whether I’m in a wilderness or it’s spiritual warfare, or maybe it’s just the cold I got, or maybe it’s all of the above. I’m not sure, but what I do know is that God is still good no matter what my circumstances or feelings.

 

But are we able to praise, accept and follow Him during these hard times? The times when it would be easier to revert to our flesh instead of walk in the Spirit. The times when you are tired, when it hurts, when you don’t understand. When those times hit, what do we do? Do we run to the Lord or to the world?

 

Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s not beneficial. Diamonds are formed under pressure. Heat purifies gold, Perseverance and endurance can build characteristics of Christ in our lives! Don’t just hide from the tough times but hide yourself in Him and let Him lead you through! He is our Oasis in the deserts, our guide through the wildernesses, our Commander in the battles, and Defender in the valleys!

 

Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, David wrote Psalm 23, a psalm most of us know. But what stuck out to me this morning is that David’s life, though it was blessed, was not easy by any means. The king hunted him for years, his own children turned on him, and he spent his life in many battles, yet his heart for the Lord and his complete trust and reliance on Him is revealed here in this Psalm. Can we say the same?

 

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

 

God bless! I love you all! Glory, Honor, and Praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our Risen King, and the Spirit of Truth the Holy Spirit!