My, Devotion to Him #243
All of us will face trials in our life. Trials are God’s way of measuring us. It’s how we respond to those trials that determines our character and fortitude. It shows not only the world what kind of faith we have, but also reveals to us the actual faith we have. Many times we believe we have strong faith, unyielding faith. But when the storms roll in we put that faith to test and see just how much faith we actually have. These trials can range in a number of different things in which we can face and we all won’t face the same trial or it might come a different way. They are all to measure us that is true, but how we are measured might be different for each person.
1. Untried Faith Equals Unproven Faith.
Yes, our faith can be tested. A number of people throughout the Bible had their faith tested. I believe it is a way in which we can truly give Him praise, honor and glory. It is so easy for us to say we have faith and to say that we believe when we don’t actually have to walk it out. The moment our untested faith is put to task is the moment we find out if we actually have faith or not. And just how much of it we have.
Verse Passage: 1 Peter 1:3-9 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” – NIV
Romans 12:2 – God wants you to prove the “quality” of your faith.
The storm is not a punishment. Some believe they are. I tell you they are WRONG. How can we ever expect to fully let go and trust in Him if we never have to brace ourselves for a storm? If we never have to endure such a thing how could we possible know if we really have that which we think we have.
The disciples of Christ were put to the ultimate test. Everyday they faced the real possibility that it could be their last. They could be stoned to death, beheaded, or even crucified. They faced real danger every single day. I’m not saying you have to be put into that situation to find out if you have faith or not. But we can’t expect to never go without storms in our life. It is the storm that truly puts us to the test and forces us to make a decision. That decision is to surrender to the Almighty One and let Him see you through it or give in to your flesh and face the storm alone. The choice is yours but either choice will be strengthened the next time around. This makes choosing the other option even harder.
2. We must be prepared for the unique plan.
Verse Passage: Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – NIV
Verse Passage: 2 Timothy 1: 8-9 “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” – NIV
Paul tells us in Romans and in second Timothy that God has called us to a “purpose”. For many of us to fulfill that purpose he has to strengthen us. So that we can successful fulfill His desires for us.
3. We are called to His purpose.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:10-12 and in Romans 8:28 that as followers of Christ God has a purpose for our lives. We need to keep this in mind when we feel life’s trials are over bearing..
4. God will never put you through something you cannot endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Peter 2:9 – Paul and Peter both promise us that God will never test us beyond our endurance. He knows what we can endure as He made us.
5. Trials Equals Transformation if we allow it.
Romans 8:29; – Paul tells us in Romans that God is actually molding us in the image of His Son Christ Jesus.
6. God created Man and Woman in His own image.
Doesn’t it make sense that He would strengthen us to better reflect His image? – Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 11:7 – As gold is purified, the impurities are burnt off until we can see our own image in the gold. God does this with those that are called according to His purpose. He burns out the impurities until He can see His own image in us and others can see Him through us.
7. Measured by our response.
Matthew 25:14-30 – In addition, we will be given more and given more in abundance if we can “measure up” and fulfill the purpose He has for us here on earth.
God bless!
Copyright © 2020 by Jacob Olinger
Spirit Warrior Ministry 