Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022

Times are tough these days with inflation and other economic circumstances here, and desperate suffering from war overseas. In such times, we may wonder, “Where is God?” While it is tempting to believe God does not care (and that is surely what the enemy wants us to think), we must always ground our thoughts in the promises of God – what God has said to us, not what others say about Him. We of faith know in our souls that He is always present, always loving, no matter the season, and always working through us to bring all things together for good and His glory. So, a better question may be, “How is God working through us today?” We know the end result of all this will be His glory, so what are we to make of tough times? I believe that tough times are meant as a test of faith, the kind that James spoke about in his letter. James teaches that God will create situations that will test the faith of his children, and the response He is seeking is for us to lean in, seek His word above any others, obey what He tells us, and ultimately, credit to Him the glory in all things. So, now that we know what is happening, we may then wonder, “Why is this happening?” Paul wrote in Hebrews “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” God tests us because He loves us and wants to see us grow closer in mind and body to Christ. Sometimes these tests may be personal, sometimes they are national, or worldwide. But in these tough times, we that are called to faith should understand what is happening and why, and therefore: trust in God’s promises of provision, be the blessing we would want to receive, and in blessing others credit all the glory to God. Today, give your stresses and fears to God, ask Him for direction, and seek to be a blessing to others in His name.

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” – Hebrews 12: 7-12