From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2002 6:48 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: The Lord's Blessing to All

"...The oak is not only tested by the storms, but toughened by them." Author unknown

"...We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character; hope; and hope does not disappoint..."  Romans 5:3-5

Are you in the midst of difficult circumstances right now?  Many in the body of Believers are. These are the very trials that press us into the Lord; the fact is that outside of the Lord, they are impossible.  However, we have the assurance of God's word that He is with us in and through them all.  They are never for our undoing, but for conforming us to the image of His Son! Scripture tells us that they are often a blessing, they are from God, they are a refining influence and they are for discipline (instruction).  Let's look at some of these verses.

Trials as a blessing:
"Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves,
 So do not despair the discipline of the Almighty."  Job 5:17

"For momentary, light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.  2 Corinthians 4:17

"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."  Hebrews 12:11

Trials are from God:
"Thus you are to know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.  Deuteronomy 8:5  (Read verses 2-4 as well to know what 'thus' refers to.)

"I was at ease, but He shattered me,
 And He has grasped my by the neck and shaken me to pieces..."  Job 16:12 (See Hebrews 12:27)

"Thou didst bring us into the net;
 Thou didst lay an oppressive burden upon our loins."  Psalm 66:12

"For I have eaten ashes like bread,
 And mingled my drink with weeping.
 Because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath..."  Psalm 102:9-10

Trials are a refining influence:
"But He knows the way I take;
 When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold."  Job 23:10

"For Thou hast tried us, O God;
 Thou hast refined us as silver is refined."  Psalm 66:10

"That the proof of your faith, being more precious that gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."  1 Peter 1:7

Trials are for instruction:
"Blessed is the man whom Thou dost chasten, O Lord,
 And dost teach out of Thy law."  Psalm 94:12

"My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord,
 Or loathe His reproof,
 For whom the Lord loves He reproves
 Even as a father, the son in whom he delights."  Proverbs 3:11-12

"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit." John 15:2

Though the trials are hard, God "will never desert you nor forsake you." And how well we know Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (of deep darkness),  I fear no evil; for Thou art with me..." Look carefully at the words, 'WALK THOUGH' not sit down in! and not alone! JESUS is right there! Never alone; always in the presence of Holy God.

May we not waste, but make the most of our sufferings that God may turn them into blessings and glory.  Be of good courage and trust in Him who is trustworthy! Amen.