If we follow the Lord, as Jeremiah did, there will be physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. In part, God uses these to strengthen us for greater things. Greater breakthroughs, greater victories, may come with greater challenges, and God invites us to persevere to the promise.

Are you in a season where you have more questions than answers? Have you cried out to God and are waiting on an answer? Take a lesson in faith from Joseph. He was sold to traders from Moab for 20 shekels. Being sold by his own brothers and taken to Egypt certainly felt like losing. Then, after a taste of success, things appeared to go from bad to worse as he was falsely accused of rape by Potiphar's wife and put in prison. 

During the hard times, Joseph did not reason that he may as well go ahead and live a sinful life since nothing was going right anyway. He remained faithful to God. And, at the right time, God arranged everything so that Joseph was restored to the full promise given years earlier. Only God could do that.

Joseph went through some harrowing times but he grew in strength of character and was ready for the breakthrough – and the challenge – of leading a nation through a famine. Be encouraged by Joseph’s example. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12).

Querido Padre Celestial,

I confess that I have often been like Jeremiah, complaining about relatively minor things rather than considering it pure joy whenever I face trials of many kinds. Thank You for Your discipline and correction. Teach me to race with men on foot without being worn out. Help me to keep Your spiritual armor on and to depend on You for wisdom and strength. Help me grow to the level of wisdom, maturity, and skill as a warrior that I can compete with horses by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. As I grow, help me to be honest about my strengths and weaknesses and show me disciplines to grow into that are useful in service of Your kingdom. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 13 aloud as you keep God’s word to Jeremiah in mind. As you read, remember that God has a future planned for you. Encourage yourself and declare with King David, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.”