Preparing for future trials

As I have been reflecting recently on the reasons why we encounter trials and times of testing, I was struck by how Jesus' temptation in the wilderness prepared him for his future ministry.

Matthew 4:1- Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (the Greek word tempted can also be translated as Tested.)

James points out that we can profit from our trials and struggle when he says: " My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)

So, I guess I have been challenged to try and consider my trials from a different perspective. Is it possible that God allows us to endure times of testing, in order to prepare us for something else in the future? What could that be? 

How do you feel about that?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

If we fall, we can rise again

"No one has ever fallen so grievously that he may not rise again. Conversely, no one stands so firmly that he may not fall. If Peter (and Paul and Barnabas) fell, I too may fall. If they rose again, I too may rise again." - Martin Luther.

These humbling words from Martin Luther remind me of two valuable lessons:

1. No one is exempt from trials and testing.

2. When we fall, we must know that God's grace can raise us to life again.

Lamentations 3:31-33 - "For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Check up

"Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting." - Psalm 139:23-24

I have always admired this honest prayer of David, where he gives permission for God to test his heart and to 'know' what is going on in his mind. It reminds me of going to the doctor, where we give them permission to do a series of tests in order to discover what is wrong with us - it is called a 'Check up.' In a way, we are saying to the GP - "please search my heart and body and find out why I am feeling sick."

In coming to God today we should we saying the same thing, but obviously related to our spiritual well-being. "Lord, I am not feeling so good, so please would you get to know my heart and help me find out why I am anxious or troubled."

Are you willing to pray this part of Psalm 139 as a prayer today?

If yes, then it may be best if you gave yourself a little time and a quiet space to pray.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Exam time again

Students and scholars are entering into that time of the year again - Exam time! This is where the stress levels rise in the families and people begin to walk on egg-shells. Perhaps we could rename this time of the year: Massah - after the name that Moses gave to the place of testing in the book of Exodus.

Exodus 17:6-7 - Moses did what he said, with the elders of Israel right there watching. He named the place Massah (Testing-Place) and Meribah (Quarreling) because of the quarrelling of the Israelites and because of their testing of God when they said, “Is God here with us, or not?”

You may not be writing an exam this week, or even have kids who are writing, but perhaps you are still at a place called MASSAH - a personal testing place.
May we all learn to seek God in this time of testing and to trust that God is still with us.

Go with God's grace today.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

When....

It is not a question of "if", but rather a case of "WHEN."

"When faith is tested to the limit and we stumble,

forgive us.

When feet stray from the path and we wander

forgive us.

When our neighbour is in need and we pass by

forgive us.

When the voices of this world

drown out your whisper

forgive us.

When love draws us to your feet in repentance

forgive us." - John Birch

2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?

If you find yourself relating to the prayer above, then why don't you use it as your own prayer for today?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Time of testing

When I set an exam paper for my students, it is never my intention to make them fail. I try my best to set a fair paper, that will 'test' what they should know already and to 'examine' how far they have come. I also do all I can to prepare them for the exam, so that they can give their best shot (... if I try and test what they "don't know", then it may just make me look bad in the end:)

So, if God happens to allow me to go through a time of testing, is it because God wants to see me fail or is it that God knows I can come out stronger? I don't believe in a God who sets me up to fail, but I do accept that sometimes I need to go through testing times.

Sadly, many people don't like the times of testing and end up blaming God for their failure - these people often turn their backs on God and walk away from the faith. What is your experience of the spiritual "exam time?"

Luke 8:13 - "Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away."

James 1:3 - "...because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

So, my prayer is that your time of testing would produce "Perseverance" and not "Abandonement."

Living in Grace
D3LM3