November 19, 2018

Are Trials Always Our Fault?

In school we get tested mentally. In sports we have competitions that test us physically. And in life we have events that test our spirit. Fear not, and don’t take it personally, these tests might just all be part of God’s design and perfect plan. Never forget that coal under extreme heat and pressure over time results in diamonds.

Image courtesy of: FancyDiamonds.net

Scripture:
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” – Matthew 4:1,2

Observation/Application:
Just because we are being tested doesn’t mean we have done something wrong. While it may be the case, it is not universally true. Many people get this wrong. Prime example – when Jesus was put to trial and temptation in the desert, it wasn’t because he did anything wrong. His time in the wilderness was part of God’s design from the start, it was part of His perfect plan all along.

So if we find ourselves in the desert, having hard times, stressing, struggling, and things just not going our way, let us always remember that Jesus showed us how to handle it. In every temptation, Jesus turned away Satan by refuting temptation with the Word of God – (Matthew 4:4,7,10). God’s Word is our foundation. God’s Word is the rock upon which we stand. It is the same foundation that Jesus used during his trials. And if it is good enough for Jesus, it is no doubt good enough for me!

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. Thank you for revealing to us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it. Let your Word begin and continue a great work in us. Keep us from the temptations of the enemy. Purify us from the inside out. Help us to walk in your ways. Teach us to be more like You Lord. Draw us close, and pull us near to You. Let your goodness abide in us for the world to see Lord, not for our glory, but for yours and yours alone. We give you all the honor and praise, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Image courtesy of: Gabriel King Photography