DAILY DEVOTIONAL – MAY 22, 2021 In the Face of Failures By Claude Houde Several studies in sociology and other educational sciences demonstrate that an overprotected child who has been spared everything, having known only victories, will find himself at a disadvantage, even perhaps in serious danger when the great trials of life hit him or her. It’s natural to want to shelter our children, but one of the most extraordinary skills that we are called to develop for our families is a healthy, biblical view of how to go through trials. Let’s not be afraid.  Do not despair in the face of failures, trials, handicaps, delays or deserts that we are going through.  They are powerful tools in the hands of God to speak to the hearts of our children and to shape us, to transform us.  Your family today needs to hear the voice of God who says,  “I will not leave you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5),  “I am the Alpha and the Omega” (Revelation 22:13),  and “I am still working! My mercies never come to an end; they are renewed every morning” (see Lamentations 3.23).  “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them” (Isaiah 41:17). Let's not limit our God.  Instead let's look at how many men and women in the Bible — Abraham, Moses, David, Gideon, Joseph, Peter, Paul, Mary, Sarah, Esther — were shaped, comforted, transformed and used by God despite the life strewn with trials and failures from which they recovered. “My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.  Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.  Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home; for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity” (Proverbs 24:13-16). This week, remember that regardless of how many times your knee bends, God will lift you up.  In suffering lies great good for us and our children, both now and in the future. Claude Houde is the lead pastor of Eglise Nouvelle Vie (New Life Church) in Montreal, Canada. Under his leadership New Life Church has grown from a handful of people to more than 3500 in a part of Canada with few successful Protestant churches. Read OnlineDownload PDFForward to a Friend

Your Gift Makes a Difference Because of your generosity, people around the world are being ministered to with the hope of Jesus Christ. Will you make a gift to impact even more lives? Give Now

Fitness Can Be a Bridge to Deeper Matters of Faith Simon Lennox joins Gary Wilkerson to discuss the parallels between physical and spiritual training. Watch Now   May Newsletter: Who Told You You're Unworthy? Who told you that you’re unworthy, no good, useless, unusable to God? We all know where this voice comes from. It’s the devil himself. Read Now   World Challenge Bookstore We have recently relaunched our online store! You can find books from David and Gary Wilkerson as well as many others. Access Store

You are welcome to make copies for FREE distribution or retransmit the devotional via e-mail, but all devotionals must be copied or retransmitted in their entirety. However, devotionals may not be posted on any website, printed, or used in any media without written permission from World Challenge, Inc. Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact World Challenge, Inc. using our online contact form or by calling (719) 487-7888. © 2021 World Challenge, Inc. Transforming Lives Through the Message and Mission of Jesus Christ