Not long after Jesus' death and the explosive growth of Christianity in Jerusalem, the church came under intense persecution from the established religious leaders among the Jews and eventually the Roman government. James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, wrote a letter to encourage frightened believers as they were fleeing Jerusalem for the safety of other, less hostile cities...
"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything... Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him..."
It is a spiritual principle that in a broken and painful world, healing and restoration sometimes requires additional pain and suffering before we can experience health and peace once again. Sometimes, the effects of our sin are so deeply ingrained in us that major spiritual therapy or surgery is required to reverse the damage so healing can begin.
Think of the drug addict who can only find true relief through the painful process of withdrawal from the slavery to his/her drug of choice. Facing that kind of pain goes against our basic instinct to seek comfort and pleasure. Yet it is often the only road to recovery. No pain, no gain.
God is Creator. He thought up, planned, designed, and spoke into existence everything there is, was, and ever will be. This "Universe" including all it's elements, properties, and physical laws was spoken into existence by the ultimate Intelligent Designer and Artist. In His infinite wisdom, He created the physical world in such a way that it reflects the spiritual, and gives us clues into His Divine nature and even our own souls.
So it is with the refining of precious metals. Because of the molecular composition of elements like gold and silver, they can be transformed from a solid state to liquid with intense heat. It is only in their liquid form that impurities can easily be skimmed off, leaving the metal purer and stronger than before.
"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything... Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him..."
It is a spiritual principle that in a broken and painful world, healing and restoration sometimes requires additional pain and suffering before we can experience health and peace once again. Sometimes, the effects of our sin are so deeply ingrained in us that major spiritual therapy or surgery is required to reverse the damage so healing can begin.
Think of the drug addict who can only find true relief through the painful process of withdrawal from the slavery to his/her drug of choice. Facing that kind of pain goes against our basic instinct to seek comfort and pleasure. Yet it is often the only road to recovery. No pain, no gain.
God is Creator. He thought up, planned, designed, and spoke into existence everything there is, was, and ever will be. This "Universe" including all it's elements, properties, and physical laws was spoken into existence by the ultimate Intelligent Designer and Artist. In His infinite wisdom, He created the physical world in such a way that it reflects the spiritual, and gives us clues into His Divine nature and even our own souls.
So it is with the refining of precious metals. Because of the molecular composition of elements like gold and silver, they can be transformed from a solid state to liquid with intense heat. It is only in their liquid form that impurities can easily be skimmed off, leaving the metal purer and stronger than before.
I encourage you stop here and take a couple minutes to listen to Laura Story's song, Blessings" - a song she wrote shortly after doctors discovered a brain tumor in her husband, Martin.
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When our prayers only ask for health, peace, prosperity and happiness, we deny the principle that we may need a time of sickness, pain, poverty and despair (refining) to accomplish God's highest and best will for our lives. When we assume that peace and prosperity is the ultimate definition of a "good life" we deny our sin and brokenness, and our need for a purging from our addiction to sinful behavior.
One unknown confederate soldier apparently discovered this spiritual treasure. The following poem was found in his uniform pocket as they carried his fallen body from the battlefield.
I asked God for strength that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked God for riches that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked God for power that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life,
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, But everything that I hoped for;
Almost despite myself, My unspoken prayers were answered.
Truly, I am among all men most richly blessed.
Being honest about our sin and the need for Gods refining, gives us the right perspective on pain and suffering in this life. We might even come to experience these times as "pure joy" because of the opportunity to grow in Christ.
This is how a wounded worshiper can sing with passion in the good times and the bad.
For his glory,
Dave