It seems to me if you are a believer you are either on the
mountaintop or in the valley. Some of
the valley experiences are very hard to take, but I think in the valley, or the
desert, is where we grow the most if we don’t get too negative and angry. When we are on the mountaintop we can get
needed replenishment and we can relax more but we can also become more careless
and put our guard down and that is just what the enemy looks for, and if we aren’t
careful we may yield to temptation more easily.
When we are down in the valley, or desert, I think our
senses are more active and we may be more alert to the enemy’s schemes and resist
his temptations more diligently, because we realize that God is our only hope
and we are venerable and we tend to draw closer to God at these times. We also seem to examine ourselves and our relationship
to the Lord and make sure our house, or temple, is in order and if we find that
we have sin in our lives, we have a greater tendency to deal with it instead of
putting it off.
Remember the word says this, “Do not lean on your own
understanding but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths
straight.” Sometimes God allows things
to happen in our lives that we don’t understand, but we know this, that ‘All
things work together for good to those who love God to those who are the called
according to his purpose,’ plus there are benefits that we can receive through suffering.
Please read Romans 5:1-5, “Therefore, having been
justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory
in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and
perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit
who was given to us.”
So, don’t be surprised if at times something happens that is
totally unexpected, even if you are a believer. I have said this before in blogs also, Paul said,
if you live a godly life, you will be persecuted. That is another thing that isn’t talked about much
in many of our congregations.
Now please read 1 Peter 4:12-19, “Beloved, do not think
it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some
strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of
Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with
exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is
blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a
murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet
if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify
God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of
God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not
obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will
the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ Therefore
let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in
doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”
I think I said enough about this subject, may the good Lord
bless you and yours, and may all of you have a super day!! If you haven’t yet,
don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord for HE is worthy!!
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