11/12/2019
Are you being tested in life? If you find yourself facing hardships, and I am certain that you are in some fashion, then let me ask a quick follow up question... how is your faith doing in the face of it? You see, Faith is cultivated and fertilized by adversity.
“so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:7 ESV
Iron is tempered by intense heat, and sudden cold. great fall football teams begin in the sweltering heat of summer practices, and, you don’t master horseback riding without falling off a horse... more than once. I always understood why we needed to do these particular things to make us better, and stronger, but the idea of the turmoil we face in life being necessary to strengthen our faith just seemed to fly in the face of a humble Jesus... then I saw the sweat falling like great drops of blood from the face of Christ in their true light, and understood the perfecting, and strengthening of faith. Great suffering proceeded the bloody tears, and the Angel’s strengthening only came after confronting the agony. Is this true of our lives too? If not, then how deep has our faith actually been driven into the cross at Calvary?
“And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Luke 22:43-44 ESV
This might have been an epiphany in our eyes, but this realization has its roots in the earliest understanding of faith. From the onset of Christianity came suffering, and in those moments of strife, even unto death, came amazing depths of belief, and faith. In these brilliant flashes of hardship, and adversity, arose an intensity of Holy Faith that could withstand the onslaught off Hell. Is this what you were thinking when you first sought God as your Father, and Jesus as your Savior? Was this what came to mind as being part and parcel of your belief? well, let’s go back to the early 1900s and listen to these words of Charles Spurgeon...
“May this not discourage those who are young in faith. You will have trials soon enough, without ever seeking them; your full portion will be measured out in due time. Meanwhile, if you cannot yet claim the results of long experience, thank God for the grace you do have; and praise Him for the degree of Holy confidence you have attained.” - Charles Spurgeon
Experience, and holy confidence... these are two of the byproducts obtained when faith, and trial collide, and they increase us in Christlike manner, listen to the Apostle Peter as he speaks of trials...
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV
And hear James as he talks about our faith being completed in the midst of testing...
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 ESV
So are we ready to face what lies ahead, or do we turn away from adversity? Do we find the benefit of the trials to outweigh the hardships? I think we will find that it all boils down to one question, and commandment. The question is “How much do you love the Lord?”, and the commandment is...
“And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”
Matthew 22:37-38 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the tests that bolster my faith, and are such a part of my everyday life. Give me the strength and determination to face each one with you at my side, and to grow in faith by their tempering. Send your Angels to guard and strengthen me Holy Father, and let my tears mingle with those of your Son Jesus as I pray. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who uses every trial and tribulation to bring good into my life. Praised be your name always Lord; even in the midst of suffering, and hear my voice lifted up towards Heaven as I shout, “Come Quickly Lord Jesus!” By your grace you are worthy of all glory, and in the scars of Christ I find my salvation. Despise me not, but lead me through the purification of all hardship, and lift me from my sorrows.
“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Psalms 94:19 ESV
Rich Forbes