Jeremiah 12:5
If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?
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If you are a true follower, a disciple, of the Lord Jesus Christ then it is a fact that you have a loving friend who will stick closer than a brother {Prov.18:24}—however, there is also an enemy, Satan, who hates you more deeply than we can imagine! And as Peter wrote, that old devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking to devour you! {1Peter 5:8} That may be in a massive attack, or just as likely that he will try to destroy us, to devour us, one small bite at a time.

If we are not able to deal with the small attacks then how will we be able to handle the big ones? So Jesus said to His disciples: "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” {Lk.16:10} That was very like what the prophet Jeremiah was saying in today's bible verse.

It should be very obvious that many are the afflictions of the righteous as David said {Ps.34:19} and they come in all sizes. The smaller ones prepare us and strengthen us to deal with the larger and so we will not be 'surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes upon us for our testing' {1Pt.4:12} God has a plan for us and He has told us.

Just as Jesus had said: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." {Jn.16:33} If indeed we can 'run with the footmen and compete with horses' the real effect of the ordeal, whatever form it takes, will result for our good and even far more importantly, for God's glory!

And it will be those believers of whom that loud heavenly voice will proclaim that they overcame him, the accuser of the brethren, because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death. {Rev.12:11}

“Not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
 
TEST EVERYTHING BY THE WORD OF GOD