I love this!
Our friends support their family through their business and this is one of their amazing creations.
I love how their hearts are so dedicated to serving the Lord and their family.
How do I know this?
It’s revealed daily by their choices.
It’s revealed over time by their commitment to following through.
It’s especially revealed when watching them walk through trials.
Trials.
We’ve walked through a number of those and are still waiting on the Lord for some.
My husband was preparing a sermon and felt God wanted him to teach on trials and temptation.
“What’s the difference between a test/trial and temptation?” he asked.
I chewed on that.
The verses in James came to mind: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God,’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James 1:12-14 NKJV
Temptation reveals the person’s heart.
When I’m struggling with temptation it means my own desires are trying to rule me, instead of me ruling my desires.
But what about tests/trials?
Abraham’s heart was revealed when he was tested in the land of Moriah. (Gen. 22: 1-19)
Job’s heart was revealed by all the tragedy he went through. (Book of Job)
There’s more to those stories.
As I reviewed the test Abraham and Isaac went through I remembered it was a foreshadowing of what God and Jesus would do.
Then I thought about the cross.
For thousands of years the Jews had been looking for the Messiah.
When Jesus was crucified and buried I’m certain it looked like the end of everything for the disciples.
Yet, Jesus rose again and through that death and resurrection all of mankind was purchased.
No one in history to that date had an understanding of Who God is or Who Jesus is.
The worst, most undeserved punishment, what looked like utter ruin to those who loved Jesus, was actually the Greatest Moment in History.
Not only did Jesus rise and give us hope for eternal life, He smashed the picture of an angry God waiting to smite all of mankind.
Mankind feared punishment from God. He couldn’t understand that Jesus came to take what each of us deserves upon Himself.
God’s heart towards us was revealed.
–wow–
“Lord,
I am ashamed of the many times I have looked at the test/trial and whined, ‘WHY?!’ . Please forgive me for misunderstanding You. Thank You for teaching me that all these things in life are not the point. You want me to know You, to see Who You are and You are working through these things to reveal Yourself to me. Please continue to teach me how to let go of the temporary and how to cling to the eternal. Again, thank You for all You have done and are doing. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us.”
patientlyhopeful 