Earlier this year, odd ongoing discomforts along with the nudging of the Lord, led me to seek out an abdominal ultrasound. I walked in confidently - sure that nothing would be seen. This would just bring about peace for me to continue walking out the things God had put before me to do without the distraction wondering if something may be going on. Within a couple of days, I received the phone call with the results. A very concerned nurse on the other line stated that a lesion had been discovered on my liver and further investigation would be required via an mri. As I even type those words now it feels as though I am typing about someone else.
This call took my breath away. But Lord, I thought we were headed full speed in one direction and it is all now coming to a screeching halt. In the days to follow I would cling to the hem of my Father's robe, praying for a good report, for peace, for comfort, for direction.
The "what if's" clouded my head. In the midst of prayer one afternoon, I sensed Holy Spirit console me with, "it's a test." The lesion was a test. Lord? My brain could not wrap around this type of test but those three words at least reminded me of Who was in control and of the One that held me and kept me all these years. When I was asked how I was doing with this new finding, through fear and trembling all I could say was, "I am either completely His or I am not. My Father's will will be done." He is who He says He is and I will trust Him." Sometimes, articulating Truth with our mouth before our heart has fully arrived or our mind can even conceive the new territory we are in is absolutely necessary. We praise Him anyway.
As I laid on the MRI table days later I was gripped with fear once again. The only words I could utter repeatedly were, "I trust you, Jesus." "I trust you, Jesus." "I trust You, Jesus." This antagonizing spirit of fear fled. This testing was necessary. Ugly. Not fun. Necessary. My Father used it. It pruned my soul.
In Judges chapter 1 and 2, the compromise of the Israelites unfolds leading them to the forbidden intermarrying and the worshipping of other gods. The decisions that seemed slight and that were made earlier are now reaping consequences on future generations. Assuredly, that which we sow, we will reap. Judges 2:20 says there became a generation that neither knew God nor what He had done for them. Their identity as believers was completely skewwed. In verse 21, God vows to use the enemies that they allowed to remain to test Israel and see whether they would keep the way of the Lord and walk in it as their ancestors. In chapter 3:1, we get further insight into the purposes of this testing. He had intentions to use it for their good and teach them who had no previous experience of war how to battle. What the enemy thought was for the temptation and destruction of God's people, God was using to strengthen, train, teach, and test. The enemy was becoming a tool in the hand of the living God. Gosh! That's good news!
What a picture of Romans 8:28 ! "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." I am not even sure that these folks loved God as they were not obeying Him and yet we see Him working it for their good, their growth, and their future anyway. How much more can those who love the Lord and desire to honor Him in all their ways expect God to do this because He says He does!!! We certainly can take Him at His Word. John 14:15-31 reads, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and is in you. When I go, you will not be left all alone; I will come back to you. In a little while the world will see me no more, but you will see me; and because I live, you also will live. When that day comes, you will know that I am in my Father and that you are in me, just as I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.” Obedience is the evidence of loving the Father just as His boundaries are evidence of His great love for us. His testing is as well. Those He loves he disciplines...“Because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as his son.” (Hebrews 12:6.) It is because we love our children that we set good boundaries and rules in place to keep them safe. When the test comes and they disobey, we chasten them that their hearts might come into alignment with what is true and good and holy. Testing proves the location of weakness and offers opportunities for strengthening. If only we were willing to cooperate.
Ponder, James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Meditate on Proverbs 17:3, "The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart." In Genesis 22, Abraham is tested, would he worship the gift of his long awaited son or the One who gave that good gift? Would he walk in total abandonment and surrender to the God of all creation? We too are tested. In most areas of my life, when Father has entrusted a beautiful gift He shortly thereafter has tested my heart in that area. Is the gift mine to hold and worship or His to do with as He pleases? This testing has come in a myriad of ways always wrapped with some form of difficulty leaving me with a choice to make - would I still surrender that loved one, that income, that platform, that spouse, that child, that church, that comfort? Will I worship Him anyway? With every yes, He has proved Himself faithful and just as He did with Abraham. We must trust Him in the testing.
Friend are you being tested? Cling to Jesus remembering He is the Author and Perfector of your faith. He is for you. He is for your children and your children's children. His ways are right and His precepts are good. Whatever the results, He will remain faithful. Praise Him with it that the next generation might know the mighty works of His hands!! He is still making all things new.
Truths for Today:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. John 15 : 1-5
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8: 31 - 32
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.”16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:14-18
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
Worship Him! He is good!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDnA_coA168 No Longer A Slave, Zach Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9-UNer6MQ In Christ Alone, Adrienne Liesching
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