Tests and trials are part of our making for how can we testify of God and his works if we never see him work in our lives? It is hard for some to digest the necessity of struggle as an intricate part of a spirit-filled believer’s life.
Yet we should ask ourselves these questions: What if Daniel had never been accused falsely and thrown in the Lion’s Den? Who would have testified of God’s ability to do the “impossible”? What if God had allowed the children of Israel to take the easy road to the Promised Land? Who would have testified of God’s ability to part the sea?
We must reconcile the reality of an all-powerful, all-loving God with His children’s need to suffer and to be disappointed.
Have you ever prayed to God about a problem, asked for deliverance from a situation or healing for your body just to receive an answer that is unpalatable and uncomfortable? “Those who reign with him must suffer with him.” 2 Timothy 2:12 It is an answer I’ve struggled with and still have to come to terms with.
Yet, I love the Lord and I desire a better knowledge of Him, one that passes through the surface of praise and worship services and tithe paying.
God knows those who seek Him in spirit and in truth. Satan does too. Satan, the Liar and accuser of the saints, desires to destroy us, as an attempt to attack God. He hates us because we belong to God and because God chose us! The longer we stay in the fold of the shepherd, the closer we come to Him, the more we resemble Him and the more Satan hates us. This is why He fights the saints so determinedly. He wants us to tuck tail and run…back to him!
We must be like Peter, when asked by Jesus, “Will you leave too?” Peter responded, “No Lord, for where else is there for us to go? You have the words to eternal life.” John 6:68-69 Peter recognized the answer to an abundant life can only be found in Jesus Christ!
When the storms rage, when pain finds us, when crowds gather to crucify us, we must stand firm and declare, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Job 13:15
Stand firm beloved, let us uphold one another in prayer and hold fast to our saviors’ promises, “I will be with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20 And again, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
