JANUARY 15
Psalm 11:5, “The Lord tests the righteous.”
She’d been bedridden for months, exhausted and dealing with much pain. Although she believed in Jesus, she mistakenly attributed her suffering to having offended God. I explained otherwise and reminded her of God’s loving presence and care.
It is naïve and unbiblical to assume that the believer should experience a life without troubles. Believers and unbelievers alike experience them (Matthew 7:24-27). The difference is that God uses the trials in the life of a believer for good. Whereas the trials in the unbeliever’s life are but a precursor of the greater trial that is sure to come lest they trust in Jesus.
“Do not be surprised,” the Apostle Peter wrote to persecuted Christians, “at the fiery trials when it comes upon you to test you” (1 Peter 4:5). He further explained the necessity of trials in God’s refining process. As with gold that is refined by fire, trials have a way of driving the impurities of our lives to the surface so that they can be Spirit-dealt with in his maturing us in Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7). The author of Hebrews explained it this way: “He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). Trials in the believer’s life are not evidence of divine displeasure. Quite the contrary. Our part is to keep trusting him amid our troubles and learn the lessons he has for us to learn.
“You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace.”—Charles Spurgeon
Application questions:Though we may experience troubles as a direct consequence of a personal sin, often they enter our lives simply because we live in a sin-cursed world. What troubles are you now facing? How does it help to know that God lovingly disciplines those whom he loves? What will a “by faith” response to your current troubles look like?
LookingtoJesus 