“When life is unfair, our faith forged by trials is resilient to trust the Lord.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 6, 2024
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3
Trials and troubles are constants in life, and they have a way of exposing the maturity of our faith. A faith untested has not experienced the opportunity to trust in God beyond mere knowledge but with a deeper understanding of the Lord’s mercy and grace. A body assaulted by sickness, a wayward child, an unprofitable business deal, or a friend’s betrayal is an assault army of trials that test our faith. Sometimes, these fiery darts fly from all directions, pushing us to the end of our capacity to handle anymore. But God. But God, as our prayers cry out to our heavenly Father, He is not deterred nor dismayed. Instead, He is fiercely determined to love us through our troubles as we grow in our trust in Him. He gently reminds us that His tender love and the love of His children will walk with us through the fires and give buoyance to our beliefs in the floods.
Trials can seem unfair. “Lord, why now? Why me? After all, I have been your faithful servant, and now I feel you are punishing me?” Moses had similar sentiments when he cried out in prayer to God, “Moses was troubled. He asked the Lord, ‘Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?’” Like Moses and like us, there is a bigger story being scripted by the Holy Spirit. Each divine chapter builds on the other, so our understanding is limited, but our faith is being invited to grow and experience God at levels of trust and love we have not yet seen. Grace creates consequences from our trials that make us better. As James describes, the result of the testing of our faith is perseverance. Perseverance in our marriage. Perseverance with our children. Perseverance in our work. Perseverance in our healthcare. Perseverance to love those who are hard to love. Perseverance in trusting God. When life is unfair, our faith forged by trials is resilient to trust the Lord. A.W. Tozer offers a hard truth, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” Pain is the price Christ paid, and we pay to experience deeper love.
Your trial may be less intense than another’s, but it is still your trial, so do not make light or dismiss it since your suffering is a stewardship of your trust in God. He trusts you with this trial, and your Savior Jesus is inviting you into His fellowship of suffering. It is fellowship with Jesus, and it is a fellowship with others. There is joy unspeakable when you fellowship with Jesus in your pain as His sweet love and peaceful presence flood your soul. Joni Eareckson Tada speaks from her quadriplegic experience with her loving reminder, “When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating Him and quoting Him and speaking of Him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus.” There is also fellowship with others as you face your trials, which is necessary to persevere. Hear the heart of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who viscerally understood trials and the need for other believers to walk with you, “The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer. A physical sign of the gracious presence of the Triune God. How inexhaustible are the riches that open up for those who, by God’s will, are privileged to live in the daily fellowship of life with other Christians!”
1 Peter 1:6 is a good summary of faith strengthened by trials, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”
Prayer
Lord, I thank You for the trials that refine my faith. Even when I don’t understand, I trust that You’re working in me. Strengthen my heart to endure, and help me see Your purpose in every challenge. May I grow closer to You, relying on Your strength alone. Amen.
Application
Where is the Lord inviting you to draw near to His heart so He can strengthen your faith in a difficult situation?
Related Reading
Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 12:11; James 1:2-4
Worship Resource
The Gathering House feat. Nyssa Garcia: I Am Not Alone
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