Time of Testing
"Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands (Deuteronomy 8:2)."
Times of testing will come into every person's life. It will come in many different forms. A tragedy may strike within your family, a health concern may come upon you, something you have been praying earnestly for has not yet happened and years have passed, you may suffer persecution, you may lose everything you have worked for or God may simply be silent. Whatever the case may be, it is not an easy road. Know that whatever your circumstances are, God has not forgotten you. He has not left your side. In fact, He has allowed it to happen. You must keep in mind that God is in complete control. You may be asking God, 'Why?' Understand that it is okay to ask why, but God does not have to give an answer.
He wants us to completely trust Him and His sovereignty. God is a God of order and has a purpose in everything that happens to you and me. He wants us to believe in Him and every promise He has made. He wants us cling to Him and remain steadfast no matter what we go through in this life. Do you really believe that God is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28)? Do you really believe that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)? Do you trust Him when you cannot feel His presence or when He is silent? Friend, in the times of testing, what is truly in our heart will come to the surface. It is where the rubber meets the road. If we always got everything we asked for immediately or we never had to go through any trials, we would probably end up viewing God as some genie in a bottle who grants our every wish. It would be all about us and what we want without ever giving a thought to our beautiful Creator and King.
Yes, I know trials are hard. Life can be very hard sometimes, but God is always good! He will show you just how good and loving He is in your pain if you will allow Him to. I have been through some very difficult times in my life, however, I would not change a thing because in those times, God showed me that He is my Rock. He is the One I can always depend on. He never changes-He is the same yesterday, today, and forever more. He grew my faith and taught me things that I could not have learned except in the trials. He showed me just how compassionate, merciful and loving He is.
You see my friend, it is not about us; it is all about Him! We were created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1: 16). He made us for His glory. Praise His holy name! Once you taste and see that He is good, and you catch even just a glimpse of His holiness, mercy and perfection, nothing else compares. You are complete in Him. These "light and momentary troubles" are producing for us and eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17). Rest in that promise my friend and don't lose heart! What you are going through right now is not going to last. It may be devastating, it may seem overwhelming and it may be the hardest thing you have ever had to go through, but if you will cry out to God, He will shower you with His great love and mercy. He will give you the strength and the grace you need to go through it. And as you fix your eyes on Him, your problems, as painful as they may be, will seem to fade. Trust Him and keep pressing on!
Remember that God loves you more than you can imagine. He is for you. "I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3: 16-19)."
Times of testing will come into every person's life. It will come in many different forms. A tragedy may strike within your family, a health concern may come upon you, something you have been praying earnestly for has not yet happened and years have passed, you may suffer persecution, you may lose everything you have worked for or God may simply be silent. Whatever the case may be, it is not an easy road. Know that whatever your circumstances are, God has not forgotten you. He has not left your side. In fact, He has allowed it to happen. You must keep in mind that God is in complete control. You may be asking God, 'Why?' Understand that it is okay to ask why, but God does not have to give an answer.
He wants us to completely trust Him and His sovereignty. God is a God of order and has a purpose in everything that happens to you and me. He wants us to believe in Him and every promise He has made. He wants us cling to Him and remain steadfast no matter what we go through in this life. Do you really believe that God is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28)? Do you really believe that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)? Do you trust Him when you cannot feel His presence or when He is silent? Friend, in the times of testing, what is truly in our heart will come to the surface. It is where the rubber meets the road. If we always got everything we asked for immediately or we never had to go through any trials, we would probably end up viewing God as some genie in a bottle who grants our every wish. It would be all about us and what we want without ever giving a thought to our beautiful Creator and King.
Yes, I know trials are hard. Life can be very hard sometimes, but God is always good! He will show you just how good and loving He is in your pain if you will allow Him to. I have been through some very difficult times in my life, however, I would not change a thing because in those times, God showed me that He is my Rock. He is the One I can always depend on. He never changes-He is the same yesterday, today, and forever more. He grew my faith and taught me things that I could not have learned except in the trials. He showed me just how compassionate, merciful and loving He is.
You see my friend, it is not about us; it is all about Him! We were created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1: 16). He made us for His glory. Praise His holy name! Once you taste and see that He is good, and you catch even just a glimpse of His holiness, mercy and perfection, nothing else compares. You are complete in Him. These "light and momentary troubles" are producing for us and eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17). Rest in that promise my friend and don't lose heart! What you are going through right now is not going to last. It may be devastating, it may seem overwhelming and it may be the hardest thing you have ever had to go through, but if you will cry out to God, He will shower you with His great love and mercy. He will give you the strength and the grace you need to go through it. And as you fix your eyes on Him, your problems, as painful as they may be, will seem to fade. Trust Him and keep pressing on!
Remember that God loves you more than you can imagine. He is for you. "I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3: 16-19)."
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