TRIALS MATURE

TRIALS MATURE

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands…. He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you.  —Deuteronomy 8:2, 16 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. —James 1:2-4

            We face many trials in life.  Your trials are not exactly like mine or are may not be anything like mine, but we all have trials.  These trials are “of many kinds.”  Don’t think just because someone isn’t going through a trial like your trial means that they do not go through trials.  It is true that some people appear to go through more severe trials than others.  But all go through trials that are part of their “race marked out for them.”  Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus when we go through these trials (Hebrews 12:1). 

            Why do trials come into our lives?  One reason is that our Lord is testing us “in order to know what was in your heart.”  And it is to know “whether or not you would keep his commands.”  These trials and tests produce perseverance in our lives for the “race marked out for us” and they mature us “so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

            How do you and I face trials?  Do we blame God?  Do we get angry with God?  Do we turn out back on God?  Do we think He no longer loves us?  Do we think He is not in control?  Or are we trusting Him?  Are we understanding that He is indeed working something out in our lives and through our lives?  Do we believe He is working these trials out for our good?  Do we really believe He is maturing us?  Will we keep our eyes focused on Jesus or on the trial?  Oh Dear Father may it be so.  May I keep my eyes focused on Jesus in trials or in trial-less times.  May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3M3nnD8xKw&list=RDu3M3nnD8xKw&start_radio=1