Jon Courson Daily Devotional - August 24

"I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered." - Philippians 1:12 (Msg)

Just as God used a sling in David’s hand, a pitcher in Gideon’s hand, and a rod in the hand of Moses, He used chains on Paul’s hands. That’s not surprising, for chains are what open the door to speak to people who would not otherwise give us the time of day.

You see, it’s when a wife hangs in there with her difficult husband; it’s when an employee refuses to talk behind his boss’s back; it’s when a high-schooler willingly submits to his parents that people take note, thereby opening opportunity for the wife, the employee, the high-schooler to share the reason why.

I’m convinced that the troubles, challenges, and problems we face are custom-designed to do one thing: to allow us to draw others to Jesus Christ and to encourage them in Jesus Christ.

‘But my burden is too heavy,’ you say.

Listen, God will not tempt you above what you are able (I Corinthians 10:13). God doesn’t play favorites — and if He has put you in a certain imprisonment, it’s because He has prepared you for it and given you everything you’ll need to go through it.

This Daily Devotional is an excerpt from the book "A Days Journey" by Pastor Jon.