“That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). 

The Lord quotes this scripture in Matthew.

It contains an important principle which believers sometimes tend to overlook.  

Many believe and even teach that if you’re blessed-

– your life will be filled with material prosperity. 

And that if you are undergoing extreme trial-

– it must be because you have sinned or that you lack faith. 

The Lord says that the sun rises and the rain falls on both the righteous and the unrighteous alike. 

A life of good circumstances does not mean that God is with us.

And likewise, a life of trial and suffering does not mean that God is not with us!  

If we base our lives on our circumstances-

– we are no different than people without God.  

What makes us different is that we have something far greater than our circumstances!

We have a relationship with the Living God!

There is nothing wrong with rejoicing in the good times.

But we need to rejoice in the bad as well!  

“…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 

We have a greater treasure and a more amazing victory when our lives are centered upon Him! 

(PR)