Your strength

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Staying focused on the Lord can be hard. The flesh prefers to seek security by thinking through all possible angles. Our tendency is to weigh what we think could happen against what “experts” say will happen, and then to evaluate possible ways of preventing our worst fears from coming true. Instead of becoming more confident, we begin to realize how powerless we are. Thankfully, we serve an almighty God who says, “Surely I will help you”. We can count on Him. By focusing on our circumstances, we’re actually choosing to feel anxiety and doubt. But these emotions don’t belong in a believer’s daily life. Instead, trust in the promises God has given us. He’s filled His Word with scriptural anchors to keep His children steady in the faith.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, May 29, 2019.

Genuine faith

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In James 2:15,16, James illustrates his point by comparing faith without works to words of compassion without acts of compassion. As James points out, for example, is if a brother or sister is without food and we wish them peace and to be filled, but don’t give them the things that are needed for the body. What does that well-wishing profit them?

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for James 2:15-16.

Let Faith Overcome Feelings

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What we really need in our trials is wisdom, and that is exactly what James 1:5 tells us to request from God. Instead of focusing on the circumstances and letting feelings overcome our faith, we must shift our thoughts to the Lord and confidently believe He’ll give us the wisdom we need, both to handle the situation and to grow from it. Giving in to doubts is dangerous, and it could develop into a lifestyle of spiritual uncertainty in which we’re “driven and tossed by the wind” (v. 6). When we handle our misgivings in this way, we’ll often make wrong decisions that are costly. How much better it would be to anchor ourselves to the Lord and His Word and ride out the storm in peaceful assurance.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, May 17, 2018.

Faith in Troubles

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We all experience variation in the strength of our faith. If all is well, we feel confident that the Lord is trustworthy, because we see His blessings all around us. But when troubles increase, so do our doubts about God’s faithfulness. We start to wonder whether He will ever answer our prayers for deliverance. As hard as we try, we can’t see Him working in the situation. And as our trials drag on, we begin to lose hope in God and may start looking for more reasonable ways to resolve the matter ourselves. James points us to a different perspective. Instead of thinking that the Lord has forgotten about us, he reminds us of God’s divine purpose for our hardships. They test our faith in order to produce endurance and maturity. Our Father isn’t trying to break us; rather, He wants to grow us and provide what is lacking in our spiritual life.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, May 17, 2018.

Spiritual Awakening and Respite

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The stubbornness of humanity’s sinful rebellion is such that without a sovereignly-bestowed spiritual awakening, all sinners refuse to acknowledge the depth of their spiritual poverty.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Matthew 11:28-30.

Overcoming worldly tribulations

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Though Paul may have “despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8), he believed God would sustain him during difficult seasons. As Jesus taught, divine strength can overcome worldly tribulations (John 16:33). That isn’t to say believers can avoid all sorrow and pain, but we know the Lord will meet our needs in every heartache and trial (Philippians 4:19). Our faith grows stronger when we trust Him in times of affliction.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, May 27, 2022.

The Invitation is Extended to All

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Knowledge of Jesus must be accompanied by confidence that the facts apply to us personally. First, we must own the truth that I have broken God’s law, and that makes me a sinner. Second, we acknowledge that none of our efforts can earn His favor. Third, we agree that Jesus died for each of us and paid for our sins, no matter how terrible the transgressions may be. Fourth, we believe that this payment for our wrongdoing is fully sufficient; nothing else is needed. Finally, we accept by faith that we’ve been adopted into God’s family. The invitation is extended to all humanity.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, June 24, 2022.

What is Needed for the Waiting

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In Psalm 25, we see David praying for protection and guidance as he waits for God. We all know how difficult waiting is during times of illness, danger, trouble, or confusion. But God can use these situations to develop the virtues He desires in our lives.

Faith. The Lord’s ways are nothing like ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). His purposes are higher and eternal, whereas our desires are usually immediate and earthly. Even when we don’t understand why God delays, we can trust in His character and faithfulness, knowing He’ll do what’s best.

Humility. Since the Christian life is God-directed rather than self-directed, submission to whatever He ordains for us requires humility. For this reason, we must acknowledge that the Lord is our Master and we’re totally dependent on Him.

Patience. In Scripture, this word means “long-suffering” or “forbearance.” It’s spiritual fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in us as we wait and trust God to intervene at the right time (Galatians 5:22-23).

Are you willing to remain in your current position until the Lord acts on your behalf? Waiting on God isn’t passive or idle. It takes a determined focus on His wisdom, goodness, and faithfulness no matter how challenging a situation may seem.

The In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, June 13, 2022.