by David Brenneman
"Tell me what charges you have against me." (Job 10:2)
O tested soul, perhaps the Lord is sending you through this trial to develop your gifts. You have some gifts that would never have been discovered if not for trials. Do you not know that your faith never appears as great in the warm summer weather as it does during a cold winter? Your love is all too often like a fire-fly, showing very little light except when surrounded by darkness. And hope is like the stars-unseen in the sunshine of prosperity and only discovered during a night of adversity. Afflictions are often the dark settings God uses to mount the jewels of His children's gifts, causing them to shine even brighter.
Wasn't itjust a short time ago that on your knees you prayed, "Lord, I seem to have no faith. Please show me that I do"? Wasn't your prayer, even though you may not have realized it at the time, actually asking for trials? For how can you know if you have faith, until your faith is exercised? You can depend upon the fact that God often sends trials so our gifts may be discovered and so we may be certain of their existence. And there is more than just discovering our gifts -we experience real growth in grace as another result of our trials being sanctified by Him.
God trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury but by causing them to endure lengthy marches and difficult service He makes them wade across streams, swim through rivers, climb
mountains, and walk many tiring miles with heavy backpacks.
Dear Christian, could this not account for the troubles you are now experiencing? Could this not be the reason He St dealing with you? Charles H. Spurgeon.
Being left alone by Satan is not evidence of being blessed.
-Streams in the Desert, L.B. Cowman.
In the lives of Christians everywhere is the desire of an increase in our faith.
Seeking such a path in life also will guarantee an increase in trials and tribulations. Jesus told us that through many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom. Acts 14:22.
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." 1 Peter 4:12-14.
"And 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.
"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalms 34:19.
Can we really expect a life of ease and comfort when it's through such things as these we enter into the Kingdom?
Can we really think this?
Jesus went through many tribulations while here on Earth. Especially in the Garden of Gethsemane. Likewise while being beaten and scourged. Let is not forget the pinnacle, His being nailed to a cross.
We shouldn't expect anything less than for class to always be in session with our lives in Christ. The Advocate, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, was brought not just to seal us for the day of Christ Jesus in salvation, but to teach us-bringing to remembrance all that Jesus taught.
Our lives are hidden in Christ Jesus...and our sanctification is an ongoing process until we are through with this physical life and step into Heaven.
While yes we read in Psalms 23 of being made to rest...it's not going to last forever in this life. It's meant as a respite until the next challenge we need to face to grow in Christ Jesus.
Becoming more like Jesus Christ is to be our ambition in our lives. To have the fruit of the Spirit shining in our lives. To see to it that the Father is glorified.
And it's a hefty process.
It's going to stretch us.
It's meant to.
While in school, year-upon-year, teachers stretched our minds to learn and explore new ideas and concepts.
The Spirit of God will do oh so much more in each of us.
Paul wrote of only some of the things that he endured for the cross of Jesus Christ. Sharing in the sufferings of Christ is how he put it.
We too ought to think better of the things we go through, as long as we're going through it for the right reasons.
Be sure of your salvation...and be sure of the things that you're going through aren't really self-inflicted.
We are to glorify God in our bodies.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And 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 5:1-5.
Keep in the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6).
Keep in prayer.
Keep in mind that what we're to be going through is to glorify our Father in Heaven.
Be on guard.
"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
Lastly...“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming." Matthew 24:42.
We ought to be living lives in readiness for Jesus to return for us. Making the most of every opportunity.
Suit up in the whole armor of God.
We're in training and we will be challenged to grow in Christ.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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