{"id":40573,"date":"2025-11-25T18:44:56","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T18:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldchallenge.kinsta.cloud\/devotion\/fiery-trial\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T17:56:54","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T17:56:54","slug":"fiery-trial","status":"publish","type":"devotion","link":"https:\/\/worldchallenge.kinsta.cloud\/ru\/devotion\/fiery-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"The Fiery Trial"},"content":{"rendered":"

In his times of discouragement, David could not figure out why he was so cast down. He asked, \u201cWhy are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance\u201d (Psalm 42:5, NKJV)<\/em>. Yet his questions were not doubts about God. David actually begins the psalm by expressing his deep thirst for the Lord: \u201cAs the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.<\/p>\n

When shall I come and appear before God?\u201d (Psalm 42:1-2)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In the midst of his discouragement, David cried out for a revelation of the Lord. He was saying, \u201cGod, there\u2019s never been a time when I have loved you more, so why am I suffering such overwhelming discouragement?\u201d<\/p>\n

At times, David experienced despair and depression because of his sin. He endured the Lord\u2019s chastening for his pride when he numbered his fighting men, which was against God\u2019s law. He felt the pain of God\u2019s rod when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged to have her husband murdered. His heart broke over the judgment he brought upon his family because of these sins.<\/p>\n

Many believers today are depressed because the Holy Spirit has wanted to bring them into victory, but they resisted. They have chosen the way of the flesh, and that always leads to pain and discouragement.<\/p>\n

However, I am addressing repentant believers here, those who seek God with all their hearts. These faithful servants are gripped by a different kind of discouragement, the kind that comes upon them suddenly, out of nowhere, for no apparent reason.<\/p>\n

When the attack comes, do not think it is unusual. God allows this kind of fiery testing with all his saints. Peter writes, \u201cBeloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you\u201d (1 Peter 4:12)<\/em>. If this is true of you, you can be absolutely sure you are under attack. Satan has sent a cloud of discouragement to overwhelm you. It has been the enemy\u2019s weapon of choice for centuries against God\u2019s elect, but the Lord always has the victory!<\/p>\n

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