Devotions
Notes from the Pastor (Jan. 2012)
Trials and tribulations are abundant in our world today. With the economy hurting, thousands of people are hurting just as much if not more. Some are in houses that are ‘top heavy;’ they owe more on it than it’s worth on the market. They’re stuck. Some people have been stricken with such horrible diseases that they’re practically assured not to get out of it in this life. There are some other people who are overly burdened with a relationship or two that they’re amid; there’s always quarreling and discord, with little or no harmony or peace. Still others are struggling to make their paychecks meet their monthly bills. There’s virtually no end in sight: the economy isn’t really turning around; the job market hasn’t improved all that much; medical science still hasn’t cured some maladies; and household incomes have seemed to shrink while every utility and food bill rises time-and-time-again. … As Christians, we may ask, “Why is God putting me/us through this? Is it something I deserve?” …
Well, while social situations may bring about some of those pressures, I still believe that God is trying to perfect us through them. I realize life isn’t easy for many of us, but no one ever guaranteed that it would be. After all, look at the life of our Lord; He certainly didn’t have a life of ease. He was “tempted (tried) in every way, just as we are—yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15), and there was a Divine purpose to His life. He came that each and every one of us that calls upon Him shall be granted life eternal.
And some of us sit there and mutter under our breath, “Yea, well that works out fine when you’re the Son of God, but I’m still sinking faster than I can swim!” … Yes, I know, life—at times—isn’t trouble-free. … So how does our faith help us when we’re amid such suffering?
First of all, for those of us with faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are assured by Him that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Matthew 28:20).
Then too, it just may be that through the trials we are called to endure, we are being refined. One definition of ‘refined’ is “to be freed from impurities; purified.” You see, when we are able to see a Divine purpose within the adverse circumstances of our lives, we just may catch a glimpse of a reason behind them. It could be that Almighty God is trying to ‘refine’ us. It’s like how the Old Testament figure Job put it (Job 23:10): “… He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
It is said that in order to refine gold, a goldsmith places the gold over a fire until it bubbles and glows. He skims off the impurities from the top, and knows that the gold is pure when he can see his reflection in it. … That’s exactly what the Lord is doing in the lives of those who are going through trials, yet adhere closely to Him. When He can see His likeness reproduced in our lives, He’ll know that we have become gold fit for His Kingdom’s use.
The flames may be hot and nearly unbearable, but since God is the goldsmith and we are God’s children, the heat is worth it. God is burning out the impurities of our lives; God’s is trying to remove the things we no longer need to be sincere servants for Him.
See you in Church,
Ken Robinson, Pastor
Daily Devotionals
Below are links to daily devotional readings that are available online and can help your spiritual growth.
