Woe to those who GO DOWN to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who TRUST in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, BUT do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord. -Isaiah 31:1 ESV (emphasis added) Reflection on last nights sermon where Brad Bell discussed suffering as the process of God removing worthless chaff from your wheat, otherwise known as refinement. God allows us to walk through dark seasons to make us the men and women needed to reconcile people to Himself. However we often flee towards things of this world to alleviate the suffering; this mirrors the people of Israel fleeing to Egypt during the Assyrian invasion. God was bringing about His perfect plan through His chosen vessel, yet instead of seeking the Lord for comfort His people sought protection in the world. What is God walking you through currently? What self-denial, in or out of your control, are you forced to partake in? Does it hurt? If so, where are you running for protection; the world or the infinite and always present Savior of the world? Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we REJOICE IN OUR SUFFERINGS, knowing that suffering produces ENDURANCE, and endurance produces CHARACTER, and character produces HOPE, and hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. -Romans 5:1-5 ESV (emphasis added)
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:00:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015