These words of encouragement were penned by my mother many years ago. Years before she was first diagnosed with colon cancer. The cancer had spread to her liver as well but this mighty woman of God held onto her faith and her God and came through her test with praise and thanksgiving – God healed her and she immediately began to testify of God’s goodness and wonder working power. That was in 2007.
August 2010 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The news was a shock but again, my mother pressed on. Her previous fight and resultant victory was just what she needed to make it through her next test. Through the mercies of a loving and gracious God, she was again victorious.
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From the beginning of time God’s people have been tested for the faith in to which they were called. From the Old Testament prophets to the New Testament church it was so. Without shame, respecter of persons, or permission the intrusion of trials have been pressed upon God’s people, causing many to fall into a state of perplexity, vulnerability and doubt. Leaving them to ask the question “Lord what have I done to deserve this?” or simply “Why me Lord? “ Dear hearts, if you are a Holy Ghost-filled believer you have been chosen for the test, but after the test, the blessing!
God has counted us worthy for the tests and suffering we must endure in this life. How, you may ask are we worthy? We are made worthy by the shedding of Christ’s precious blood for our redemption. Through Christ’s suffering on the cross we were prepared to endure the suffering of our cross. Does not the Word forewarn us of the fiery trials which would come upon us? I Peter 4:12
When we can come to that place of accepting tests, trials and suffering as part of our salvation then and only then can we boldly proclaim with sincerity, “For Christ I live and For Christ I’ll die.” What an awesome proclamation to make before Satan and the world! If we are perplexed in our minds dear hearts it means we lack understanding of the divine will and knowledge of God. I f we are vulnerable it only identifies the weakness in our flesh. But do not despair. Let the weak say I am strong and if we believe and hold fast, we can stand in the midst of any storm. Glory to God!
To doubt beloved will cause us to be defeated before we see the victory. We must comprehend and hold fast to the truth of God’s word. After the test the blessing will surely come. Let the ‘Why me Lord’ turn into praise. Let God mold and shape you into His likeness, into His character. Let Him roe you with honor and bring you out with victory!
Our Savior asked Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job.” (Job 1:8) and is asking Satan today, but have you considered my servant…? What a powerful question to issue out of the mouth of the Most High God. Satan hasn’t given up hope of destroying the relationship between Jesus Christ and the saints of God. He still wants us to curse God and die. Job 2:9 He tried it with Job and he’s trying the people of God today. Job 1:9
Has Satan afflicted your body with sickness or disease? Has he attacked your finances, forcing you into bankruptcy? Have you lost your job and are on the brink of becoming homeless? Has a disaster unexpectedly destroyed all you had, leaving you with nothing? Has your position on the choir been taken away or have you been stripped of your missionary license unjustly: Has he accused you to your face of a wrongful deed and spread lies against you? Has he used a loved one to tell you as Job’s wife told him to simply, curse the God you serve and die?!
Don’t’ be astonished children. These are only a few testing tools Satan uses against the people of God. And he’s been using the same tools from the beginning. Indeed, he forged those very tools in Heaven! If he had the audacity to fight God on His own territory, what more will he try to do to us here on earth?
But let us possess the same determination of Job and lets us speak these victorious words to the Devil: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Job 13:15 For after the test, the blessing will surely come!
