THE REFUGE DEVOTIONAL
“ Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:22 NASBS
In the passage above Paul and Barnabas were on their first missionary journey, preaching the gospel and making disciples in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. After facing severe persecution— including Paul being stoned and left for dead—they courageously returned to those same cities strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” They urged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that following Jesus involves suffering, but it’s through those hardships that we enter the kingdom of God.
Christian, the battles we face today are not new—they are the same struggles our brothers and sisters in Christ endured in the first century. The book of Hebrews makes it clear: every true believer is a stranger to this world, with a heart and mind set on the heavenly city where righteousness dwells. This longing for heaven is the work of the Holy Spirit, who lives and dwells within all who have been brought to faith by His effectual calling. From beginning to end, it is the Spirit who works in us—through the miracle of regeneration— giving us new hearts whose affections are set on things of God.
Because of this, we now live in direct opposition to the ways of this world. Let our strength, therefore, be found on our knees, as we cast all our hope upon the Lord Jesus Christ. In this life, we will encounter many trials and challenges in all kinds of circumstances. We have a real enemy— the devil—who stands against God and His Word, seeking to destroy those who have been brought into the kingdom of Christ. We must never forget: we were once children of darkness, enslaved to the adversary. But now, having been delivered from his kingdom, we are children of light. And because of this transformation, the enemy will use every scheme, temptation, and worldly enticement to lure us back into his snares.
He has many tools in his arsenal. He has existed for generations, and he has led many of God’s children into his web of deception. But take heart: our strength is not in ourselves, but in Christ. On our knees, in humility and prayer, we must find the power to stand firm. We must clothe ourselves with truth and fight the good fight against the corruption around us. Let us carefully examine every thought, emotion, and feeling against the unchanging Word of God, so that we are not led astray by the subtle schemes of the enemy.
Paul describes the internal struggle he faces between the sin that exists within his flesh and the righteousness he longs for birthed within his soul. He expresses this conflict by stating, “I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.”
In these verses, the Apostle Paul opens a window into the heart of every believer who longs to live righteously but finds themselves wrestling with sin. He confesses that while he desires to do good, his flesh resists, pulling him toward what he hates. It’s a sobering, honest portrayal of the Christian’s inner battle—a battle between the new heart that delights in God’s law and the lingering sin that clings to our mortal bodies.
With this understanding, let us find rest and assurance, beloved of God, even as we face the trials of this life. We will encounter tribulation—both the battle against indwelling sin and the daily temptations the world throws at us. Therefore, we must stand as faithful soldiers of Christ, armed with prayer and ever dependent on God’s mercy to guard our hearts and minds from wandering.
Though our salvation is secure in Christ, the journey of sanctification continues. We must daily yield ourselves to the renewing of our minds, submitting to the truth of God’s Word, even when our feelings pull us in another direction. Let us not grow weary, but press on in obedience, trusting that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion.