Lessons Gained from Trials

 "No physician ever weighed out medicine to his patients with half so much care and exactness as God weighs out to us every trial. Not one grain too much does He ever permit to be put in the scale."  - Henry Ward Beecher

What strange days we are living in today. Not necessarily strange in the mysterious sense, but rather in how differently our lives are now than they were just a few, short months ago.

Routines and patterns have been upended, systems placed on hold, disquiet and confusion deepen our growing exasperation with the situation, and death counts rise while economies fall.

The pandemic, which the world is facing at this point in time, has served everyone notice that as much as we think, or act as if it is so, we are not the last word, nor have we ever been!

All of this and more may compel people to cry out this time-tested question, "How can God, if He is loving and righteous, allow such suffering to happen?" 

Job was a believer in God, he lived comfortably, and deeply cared for others. But, he too, had his world turned upside down, and wondered why God would allow this.

His life was radically changed in a relatively short period of time. His business was ruined, his wealth was gone, his health was poor, and, everyone except his wife was dead.

During his time of anguish, Job was no different than any one of us. He longed for better days in the midst of all that was going in his life.

Everything that Job experienced only made him that much more conscious of the vanished happiness that he had once known.

In Job 29:2, he looks back with aching sorrow to the pleasant joy and undisturbed peace he had when confident of the Lord's preservation.

Even his friends were unfair to him, and instead of comforting him they made things worse. Job's mistake, however, was in his implied doubt as to the Lord's trustworthiness.

It is quickly evident that he has not yet learned that God is immutable, or unchangeable, and that nothing but defection on their part can snatch His sons out of His hand.

During dark and dreary times we are all inclined to think the sun will never shine again. We wistfully yearn for past, brighter days.

Indeed, if our prayers in this matter were to be granted we would surely be all the more miserable. Why so..? Because it is not in gladness and brightness that the soul thrives most.

Integrity is developed when the stormy winds blow, pain makes it unbearable to press on, and disappointment tempts you to call it quits.

Additionally, our character, were it free of any trials and tribulations, would be sorely lacking in outstanding and critical components.

Our LORD does not duplicate his former mercies simply because we have outgrown our need for them. What's more, His present and future blessings are immeasurably greater.

God's riches are unsearchable and extend far beyond our understanding. Though there are many lessons we can learn from Job, one powerful message stands out.

God is completely supreme in the way He handles His people, and will never allow anything to enter the life of a devoted Christian that is detrimental to his own good and God's glory.

God owes us no explanation for His actions or conduct. It's sufficient enough for us to know that He loves us and that He is infallible. None of us live by explanations; we live by promises. 

The Book of Job clearly demonstrates how the righteous should suffer (James 5:11). Job maintained his faith in God during his times of suffering, strongly believing to the very end that God would justify him.

In the end, God always accomplishes His purposes (Romans 8:28). Therefore, in the midst of difficult situations we shouldn't ask for a way out. Instead, we should ask God what lesson should we gain from it.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12; James 1:12; Romans 8:18; Romans 12:12; Philippians 4:6-7 

Prayer: Dear God, show me your ways, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Amen

May God always bless you!

Judith