Tag Archives: affliction

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Momentary Affliction | Bible Gleanings – October 14-15, 2023

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Numbness arrested my legs. Every step was an agonizing jolt, making it impossible to ignore the excruciating pain. Sweat trickled down my face and tears nearly did, too. Every fiber of my being screamed for me to throw in the towel. All of this agony stemmed from the 375-foot ascent to Eagle Point Buttress in the Red River Gorge of eastern Kentucky.

But once I got to the peak, the sights made the struggle worthwhile. The breathtaking panoramic views stretched as far as the eye could see, as lush pine valleys and rolling hills came together to paint an unforgettable landscape. The beautiful blue sky was like an ocean floating in the heavens. The sun cast a golden glow upon every rock, tree, and stream in the wilderness, illuminating the scene with warmth. And as I took in the incredible scenery, every ounce of my pain melted away.

And the Bible says the same thing about the believer’s earthly sufferings. The uphill climb of life’s trials can make you feel like giving up. There will be times when you feel like you can’t take another step on the tribulation-laden road to everlasting life. But the sight of Jesus Christ in glory will make all of your sufferings worthwhile. That is why Peter said, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).

Being with Jesus in heaven will far surpass the pain of your earthly hardships. As a matter of fact, the magnitude of your heavenly reward far outweighs the gravity of your tribulations on earth—so much so that a comparison between them is impossible! As Paul aptly said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). The troubles of this life are temporary and they weigh nothing compared to the weight of heaven: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17). What is one drop of sorrow compared to an overflowing cup of joy in eternity? What are a thousand dark days compared to being forever in the light of God’s glorious presence?

I also snapped many photographs of the awe-inspiring peak to help me remember why the climb was well worth it. And believers likewise have a picture of heaven to encourage them that the excruciating climb of life will be worth it in the end: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Fruit in the Ashes | Bible Gleanings – May 22-23, 2021

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Fruit in the Ashes

It turns out that grapes love volcanoes—specifically the ash that volcanoes emit. Vineyard farmers in Spain’s Canary Islands have discovered and capitalized on this strange situation. Eighty miles from the sandy beaches of Lanzarote lies a charcoal landscape formed by volcanic eruptions from the 1730’s. There are enough craters and jagged hills on the island to make you think you’re on the Moon. The only difference is that this Spanish terrain is engulfed in black ash, and there are undeniable signs of life—namely, hundreds of farmers picking over 2.6 million pounds of grapes annually.

How do grapes grow in such a sooty wasteland? According to Mónica R. Goya, a New York Times journalist who visited the island, the magic is in the dirt. The ash prevents erosion, retains moisture, and regulates ground temperature. It also has nourishing soil beneath it, and there are plenty of old cinders to make pits for the grapevines to protect them from violent winds. Incredibly, fruit can grow even in the ashes.

The Bible declares the same truth. The apostle James once wrote that the fruit of endurance grows best in the ashes of trials and tribulations:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness [or endurance]. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).

Christian, do you feel like your life is in ashes? Perhaps the news of an unexpected diagnosis has left you feeling like your life is a dark and crumbling wasteland. Maybe the abrupt passing of a loved one has made you feel like a volcano of pain and grief erupted upon your once-joyful life. It may be that loneliness has buried your happiness and cheer, like ash concealing thousands of acres that used to be beautiful. You may feel like Job when he cried, “God has cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes” (Job 30:19).

Whatever volcanic trial has erupted in your life, the Lord promises that tribulation is the best soil for endurance. Sometimes He permits a volcano to rupture to plant you in the ideal place to trust Him and His plan for your life. God uses adversity to deepen your faith and strengthen your spiritual muscles. To be sure, troubles and trials aren’t pretty—they are painful. But God is cultivating the beautiful fruit of endurance in the midst of your afflictions, and that is reason to rejoice. As Paul stated, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance” (Romans 5:3).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).