Monday, October 12, 1998
Monday, October 12, 1998
He learned obedience through what he suffered.
"Don't be discouraged, Charlie Brown," Schroeder tells him. "These early defeats help to build
character for later on in life." "For what later on in life?" asks
Charlie Brown. "For more defeats!" replies Schroeder. Charlie Brown then invests in five cents'
worth of Lucy's psychiatric help. At first her advice sounds a bit more sophisticated: "Adversity
builds character," she says. "Without adversity a person could never mature and face up to all the
things in life!" "What things?" he asks. "More adversity!" she says.
There is some truth in the fact that when we face adversity, the next time its is a bit easier to
handle. Jesus certainly faced adversity from the religious leaders of his day and even his own
disciples. But, Jesus was still obedient to God.
"Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made
perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him," Hebrews 5:8-9.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to learn obedience through adversity. Amen.
Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
(Hebrews 5:8
NRSV)