My precious friend, the Lord says in James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life." Indeed, God allows many trials in our lives. When we consider our Lord Jesus when He gave His life for the ministry, the first thing that happened was the Holy Spirit leading Him to be tempted by the devil. Satan tempted Him with the lures of the world, but Jesus spoke the Word of God and overcame him. Satan left Him. In the same way, we, too, are often tempted by satan concerning the lures of the world—through people, situations, money, and more. Yet, thank God for His Word, which empowers us every day. Reading the Bible each morning gives us the strength to escape temptation and overcome it. As I Corinthians 10:13 reminds us, “God will make a way of escape in the midst of the trials.” With the Word of God, we can stand firm and be more than conquerors.

Yes, my friend, God sometimes allows temptations to test the depth of our love for Jesus. He desires to know whether we love Him more than our family, position, money, or even ourselves. But He also increases His grace to help us trust Him above all else and to withstand. Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial, for they will receive the crown of life. That is why God gives us the Holy Spirit. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, as Romans 8:26 says, we gain the strength to overcome every weakness. Love Jesus, trust Him, and He will lift you up with the crown of life. Trials may come, but they are opportunities to show our devotion to Him and to emerge victorious through His grace.

A dear sister, Shiromani Minch, gave a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness. Living in Ambikapur with her husband and two children, she worked as a teacher in a government school. In 2008, she was transferred to a school 50 kilometres away, requiring her to travel by bus over terrible roads, with her husband meeting her partway on a motorbike. This caused her severe pain in her spine and waist, making it hard to stand and teach, and even lie down. She cried out in pain, wrote letters for prayer, called the Prayer Tower, and watched the Jesus Calls TV programme. One day, through one of the programmes, as I prayed for her needs, God’s power touched and healed her, removing her pain completely. She also prayed for a promotion and transfer, refusing to give bribes as her peers did. Trusting Jesus, she persevered, and she was amazed when God granted her a promotion and a transfer to a school just a 15-minute walk from her home. What a blessing! God blesses those who remain steadfast under trial, trusting in Jesus. May you, too, be blessed with this same divine favour.

PRAYER: 
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise that those who remain steadfast under trial will receive the crown of life. Grant me the grace and strength to faithfully trust in Jesus, even when challenges arise. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit to overcome every weakness and temptation. Help me cling to Your Word, Lord, and find refuge and wisdom in its truths. Help me to love You above all—more than family, position, or worldly possessions. Give me the courage to stand firm, knowing that You make a way of escape in every trial. Let my devotion to You grow stronger through each test I face. Strengthen my heart to trust Your perfect plan and to walk in victory through Your grace. Thank You, Lord, for lifting me up with Your blessings. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.