Your Daily Devotional for October 9, 2007

 

October 9,  2007

 

 

The Reason for Trials

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."

 

James 1:1-3

 

 

Author Thomas A. Kempis once described patience in these words: "He deserves not the name of patient who is only willing to suffer as much as he thinks proper, and for whom he pleases. The truly patient man asks (nothing) from whom he suffers, (whether) his superior, his equal, or his inferior…But from whomever, or how much, or how often wrong is done to him, he accepts it all as from the hand of God, and counts it gain!"

 

Trials and difficulties come into all of our lives. We cannot avoid them nor can we run from them. God allows these times of trial and stress into our lives for a reason. We must not turn from God but we must look to Him and seek His purpose for the trial.

 

Sometimes we can be overwhelmed by the stress that comes from trials in our lives. A typical concert piano has over 240 strings that, when tuned and tightened, create a pull of 40,000 pounds on the frame. Without the tension, there would be no beautiful music. Most of us today would say that our lives have too much stress. We try to avoid and alleviate stress at all costs. Yet, today we will see that sometimes God allows stress and trials into our lives to further develop our faith and our walk with Him.

 

God seeks to develop our faith through these times of trial. James 1:2 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." The word count in that verse means "to consider" and the word temptations refers to testing or trials. God wants us to consider it a joy to receive a trial in our lives. That seems opposite of what we want to do! Our human nature doesn't like times of difficulty or trial. We want to have an easy Christian life free of any difficulties. Yet, God seeks to develop our faith through these trials.

 

It has been said that we are either going through life or we are growing through life. God seeks to grow us and stretch our faith, and His plan in doing so is through trials. God did not promise us a life free of trials and difficulties, but He has promised to help us through them. He desires to conform us to His image and develop our faith during trials.

 

Not only does God desire to develop our faith during trials, but He also desires for us to display our faith. Romans 5:3 says, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience." The phrase worketh patience in that verse refers to endurance. God desires that we would have patience during these trials.

 

I once heard a preacher say, "Don't waste your trials." God has a purpose for every trial and difficulty that comes into your life. He knows where you are in your spiritual life and He wants to stretch and grow you. Don't resist God's working through the trials and accept His purpose for developing your faith and displaying it during your trials.

 

Are you going through a time of trial or difficulty? Do you find it hard to see God's reason for the trial in your life? God has a purpose for everything that comes into our lives, and He only wants what is best for us! We must look to Him during our trials and seek to grow closer to Him. Spend time with God right now. Open your heart to His purpose for your trial and let Him draw you closer to Him today.

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Isaiah 32-33 • Colossian 1

 

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