Have a look in James chapter 1.
Human nature tends to be impatient, to be slow to hear, quick to speak and quick kindling to anger. We are often impatient with our trials that are guiding us towards steadfast faith, towards greater wisdom, perfection, completion; and that good and perfect gift, the crown of life. When will these trials blow over?!
Someone sent me a video clip of some dynamic preacher talking about the children of Israel having to circle that Mount Sinai for forty years in the desert place til they learned their lesson. Around and around and around. No doubt they must have felt, "enough, already!" And the preacher went on saying "we pray that God takes away that mountain. But folks the mountain is there to change us!!" That trial folks is there to change you. You have two choices, to change positively, or to change negatively.
Look at God's gift when we change positively. When God gives, He gives and gives and that generously. On top of the steadfastness, perfection, and crown of life, God imputes to us His righteousness. We become more like Him. His character can be seen in those who seek Him and His wisdom. Are you wise? Ask for His wisdom.
And He is not finished yet...when we can do all of the above, we will "receive with meekness the implanted word..." I love the idea of meekness. It's big. I definitely need it big time. Glad it's part and parcel of what God gives as we become more complete in Him.
Isn't this what many aim to attain? Righteous. Something from the core of our being that naturally produces righteousness? The "filthiness and rampant wickedness" of human nature weeded out from the root gives way to the righteousness. So don't you want to be tried with "trials of many kinds"? Hah!
We don't purposely seek trials but when they come, embrace them with joy because its good for you. It really is, believe it or not, in the end. That's what God says.
I think of snowflakes. Each and every single one is the same, only different. They each have six points but in individual intricate design. What a Creator!
God knows exactly what each individual needs. Look into His mirror. Don't go away and forget what He shows you. Address it. Are you impatient with your aging? Impatient with an ill family member; your child or parent or spouse? Got trouble at work? Those can be veritable mountains for sure.
What are the negative things that come out in your character? Confess them to the Lord. Seek His forgiveness. Let Him root out all unrighteousness. Don't just read about it. Act upon it; "be a doer". Get clear of the negatives.
Realize you can't do this alone. Seek God's wisdom. You, Christian, have the Holy Spirit and God's Word, what are you waiting for? Progress in your sanctification.
Non-Christian, come humbly to God through Jesus Christ. There is salvation in no other (Acts 4:12). Righteousness is attained from no other. It is not something you have to work at for yourself. Furthermore you can have salvation NOW; not at some vague, uncertain distant time.
Look what God tells us human kind:
Galatians 2:16-17 (ESV)...
"..yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Jesus Christ, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."
Galatians 2:20 (ESV)...
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galatians 3:10 (ESV)...
"For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them."
Colossians 1:22 (ESV)...
"...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Last, but not least, Romans 6:22...
"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life."
What a mighty God we have! He knows we are such completely helpless human beings who cannot save ourselves for trying.
It is by God's grace we are saved. It is by God's grace we endure our trials.
Christians,
"do not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).
It is by God's grace we stand. Someone says something to put you down or make you feel like you and your opinions are only worth two cents or less, God's grace is sufficient for you.
It is a trial; yes! But His grace is sufficient for you to bite your tongue and NOT respond in kind. Rather, your response can be with grace to keep your mouth shut and to expunge the biting retort you'd soooo love to give. Maybe to walk away and pray. Ask for wisdom for gracious rejoiners and kind words.
Let me tell you...that's a huge challenge! But...
"...as you have opportunity,...do good to everyone..." (Galatians 6:10).
Pass the test again and again; let our Heavenly Father bathe you in His grace helping you along righteous street, completion, perfections, the crown of life and towards meekness. Be steadfast in grace and love throughout all those various trials.
He loves you! You are special to Him. You are of great worth to Him!
Here is a quote from W. Phillip Keller's book Wonder O'the Wind. He quotes something his Dad said to him...
"It's the man who stands to his feet over and over who finally wins the battle."
May God bless you all as you strive to become more like Him, remaining steadfast in ever increasing faith in Him till He comes to take us to be with Him.
Perhaps today.
~ERC 2017~
