www.truthworks.com                 26 October 06                 devotion archive

Testing Faith

I tell you the Truth,

We all say it. So much, I believe, that we’ve learned to believe it – we want to blame the Devil for way too many things in our lives. Or perhaps I should say that we give him way too much credit for the trials we endure.

Every time we come up against an obstacle whether it’s in a relationship, our job, or even our health, we decide very quickly that it must be Satan who is attacking us and causing such a headache. How many times have we decided to get involved in a project of service to the Lord and we run into problem after problem. And how many times have you heard the comment - “Boy, the Devil’s after me today!” Why do we say that? What evidence do we have for our accusation? Let’s look at God’s word and try to figure this thing out.

First, let’s establish one thing. If the obstacle that has caused you so much trouble is sin, then we can quickly deduce that it is not an obstacle from God, as we find in James.

James 1:
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Now, let’s not get confused about temptation and frustration. We also need to understand that it is the temptation of evil that God does not, will not and can not lay before us. This is surely the work of the Devil.

We read on to find that every good and perfect gift is from our Heavenly Father. We need to understand that good and perfect doesn’t means without any problems.  Remember, our ways are not like His ways. We look at the present. He looks at the big picture down to the tiniest detail and knows exactly what we need and when we need it. And sometimes, when He looks down, He sees that we need help in areas that we don’t even know about.

God will allow us to endure hardship, heartbreak and roadblocks. Why would the Lord want us to endure such tribulation in our lives? Doesn’t He love us with agape love? Yes He does. But with agape love comes a desire to draw someone closer for their own benefit. And that’s what the Lord does - He draws us closer to Himself.

The scripture in James is really incomplete unless we take in the whole context of the subject matter. Let’s see what the chapter is really about.

James 1:
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him 

Consider it pure joy?  What’s up with that?  It’s not such a joy to endure the trial, but it should be a joy to understand that when the Lord allows obstacles in our lives, the purpose is to draw us into a closer relationship with Him.  Now that is pure joy - a closer relationship with Christ. Any other happiness in life will fade like old blue jeans.

Just to drive my point home, think about all God’s chosen leaders in the Bible. Think about all the trials they endured. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Job, Peter and Paul are just a few examples of men of God who faced enormous obstacles in their lives which were the direct work of the hand of God. They all endured trials. They all developed perseverance. They all developed maturity in Christ. They all developed wisdom. And they all received the crown of life. Consider it joy? Absolutely!

One suggestion. Ask the Lord to draw you closer this week through the trials of life. Then, be prepared and expect Him to do as He says. If you’re impatient, be prepared to have your patience tested. If you anger easily, be prepared to have your anger tested. If you lack faith, be prepared to have your faith tested. No matter what the circumstance, be prepared to lean solely upon the Lord so that you too might persevere. And consider it pure joy that the Lord loves you enough to walk with you through the trial.

Your Servant,

Randy Hunt
randy@truthworks.com
2TIM 1:7

www.myspace.com/truthworks

If you have a prayer request and would like to see it here, please drop me an email so we can share with others.

“Randy,
Please pray for Lynn Scott & her family...her sister passed away yesterday.  [This is the same lady who lost her son in a motorcycle accident a few months ago.]

Thank You,
Dana”

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