“Praise our God,
O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard... For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like
silver. You brought us into prison and
laid burdens on our backs. You let men
ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a
place of abundance.” Psalm 66:8-12
Huh?
Praise God for testing ... prison ... burdens ... oppression ... fire and water? As former hot-head tennis player, John McEnroe used to shout at the umpire, “You can't be serious!”
But you know, come to think of it ... it’s hard to come up with an example of major spiritual growth that did not involve pain, refinement and deliverance.
I have seen ...
In fact, come to think of it ... it’s hard to come up with an example of spiritual growth without first the pruning, a heart on fire without first the crucible, freedom without first the burden, passing without first the testing.
And come to think of it ... I cannot think of a believer who is ungrateful for both the growth the growth process. Each bears witness to the fact that he or she did not go through it alone. All will tell you it was God who walked them through the trial, and it was God who brought them out of it ...
Brighter. Stronger. Purer. Trusting. Loving. Grateful. Conformed to His image.
“Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf.” Psalm 66:5
Huh?
Praise God for testing ... prison ... burdens ... oppression ... fire and water? As former hot-head tennis player, John McEnroe used to shout at the umpire, “You can't be serious!”
But you know, come to think of it ... it’s hard to come up with an example of major spiritual growth that did not involve pain, refinement and deliverance.
I have seen ...
... many couples, down to their last dime and facing
impossible financial burden, only to see their God materialize something from
nothing.
... parents anguish over a wandering child making
unwise choices, only to see God send someone to come alongside of their son or daughter with
words of wisdom, a listening ear, the sacrifice of time, and loving acts of
support.
... business owners helplessly stare down the barrel of certain
ruin, only to marvel as God turned men’s hearts toward them in favor.
... prisoners behind bars bear witness to their
circumstance as “the best thing that ever happened to me, because it was here
that I became a believer.”
... men’s reputations and careers tarnished at
the lies and distortions of some, only then to be comforted by many who affirm their
leadership, integrity and faith.
... marriages threatened by infidelity, only
to be restored to unprecedented strength through faith, honesty, repentance and
love ... the kind of love that actively commits each to the other.
In fact, come to think of it ... it’s hard to come up with an example of spiritual growth without first the pruning, a heart on fire without first the crucible, freedom without first the burden, passing without first the testing.
And come to think of it ... I cannot think of a believer who is ungrateful for both the growth the growth process. Each bears witness to the fact that he or she did not go through it alone. All will tell you it was God who walked them through the trial, and it was God who brought them out of it ...
Brighter. Stronger. Purer. Trusting. Loving. Grateful. Conformed to His image.
“Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf.” Psalm 66:5
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