“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:11

We have all known Christian sufferers who have grown into rare, sweet beauty—as they have suffered.

They have lost their earthliness—and have learned heavenliness.

Pride—has given way to humility.

The harsh music—has grown soft and gentle.

The rough marble—has taken the shape of graceful beauty.

There are elements of loveliness in the depths of every life—which pain alone can bring out. God often chastens His children—to bring out more clearly in them, the features of His own lovely image.

Yet afflictions do not always make people better. Not all suffering yields the harvest of righteousness and peace. We have all seen people suffering, who became only more impatient, selfish, and cold. Their trouble hurt them.

As I watch the effects of suffering upon men and women, I find that it is only in the fewest cases—that the life is made more radiant by pain. There are dangerous shoals skirting all the deeps of affliction, and many frail barks are wrecked in the darkness! In no experience of life, do most people need wise friendship, and firm loving guidance—more than in their times of trouble.–J R Miller

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” – 1 Peter 5:9

Satan is the Christian’s unwearied foe, he is the enemy of all righteousness, and aims at our destruction. He is especially the enemy of our faith–comfort–prosperity–and usefulness.

He is our enemy before God, and he gets access to our hearts; he excites to sin, accuses of sin, and terrifies for sin. We are called upon to resist him, stedfastly believing God’s word, faithfulness and love. Stedfastly believing what Christ is to us, as Satan’s grand opponent.

Is Satan a deadly serpent?–Jesus is the brazen serpent which heals. Is Satan a roaring lion?–Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah who prevails. Is Satan an adversary?–Jesus is a Friend. Is Satan a wolf?–Jesus is the good Shepherd. Is Satan a tempter? – Jesus is a Deliverer. Is Satan a deceiver and a liar?–Jesus is the truth. Is Satan an accuser? – Jesus is an Advocate. Is Satan the prince of darkness?–Jesus is the light of life. Is Satan a murderer?–Jesus is the resurrection. Is Satan god of this world?–Jesus is God over all.

Resist the devil in the faith of this. Jesus is all you need.

All power is to our Jesus given;
O’er earth’s rebellious sons He reigns :
He mildly rules the hosts of heaven,
And holds the powers of hell in chains :
Jesus, the woman’s conquering seed,
Shall bruise for us the serpent’s head.  —James Smith, 1840

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee”   (Isaiah 43:2).

It has often been said, “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it”. Dear friend that is more than a trite little saying designed to brighten your day. It is based on the very Word of God, who cannot lie, and it is meant to give you blessed assurance– a peace that passeth all understanding! The old publication “Faith’s Checkbook” by Spurgeon put it like this—

“Bridge there is none: we must go through the waters and feel the rush of the rivers. The presence of God in the flood is better than a ferryboat. Tried we must be, but triumphant we shall be; for Jehovah Himself, who is mightier than many waters, shall be with us. Whenever else He may be away from His people, the LORD will surely be with them in difficulties and dangers. The sorrows of life may rise to an extraordinary height, but the LORD is equal to every occasion. The enemies of God can put in our way dangers of their own making, namely, persecutions and cruel mockings, which are like a burning, fiery furnace. What then? We shall walk through the fires. God being with us, we shall not be burned; nay, not even the smell of fire shall remain upon us. Oh, the wonderful security of the heaven-born and heaven-bound pilgrim! Floods cannot drown him, nor fires burn him. Thy presence, O LORD, is the protection of Thy saints from the varied perils of the road. Behold, in faith I commit myself unto Thee, and my spirit enters into rest.”

“By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses“– Acts 13:39

By him (Jesus Christ) all that believe are justified. To be justified means to be declared completely righteous, innocent before the law of God. It is as if you had never sinned at all.

The justification is by him. There is no other way to be found guiltless before a holy God. There is no way to live a good enough life to please a perfectly good God. Even a hundred good works cannot erase a single sin. But on the cross Christ took the sins of His people on himself, and gave them his righteousness. Therefore, his record is now their record, his perfection is their perfection.

As we are emphatically reminded, we could never be justified by the law of Moses; that perfect law only shows how imperfect we really are. But by Jesus Christ every person that believes is justified from all things.

You may have lived a corrupt and despicable life; or you may have lived a life which, to the rest of society, seemed good and acceptable. But neither is important in relation to your justification. Either way, only by him can you be justified; and either way, by him you can be justified. There is hope for anyone, but the only hope anyone has is in Christ.

There is no sin that cannot be cleaned by the blood of Christ; there is no life that cannot be justified by the cross of Christ. All that believe are justified from all things. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ for your justification?(Baptist Bible Hour)