Tag: trials and tests
Thankful for testing!
Scripture reading for May 22nd: Job 21-15
Key Scriptures: Job 23:10-12 “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.”
In spite of many accusations from his friends and even his own wife, Job maintained his stand of faith in God. He followed God step by step and stuck close to God’s Word and commandments. Job fed his soul on God’s word even when he did not feel well enough to eat bread! He was confident that the trial would pass and he would persevere victorious!
Thankful for tested faith: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. . . Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:2-3, 12)
The Lord knows the way I take!
Scripture reading for May 26th: Job 22-24
Mary and I had set out to adopt two girls from Russia. We believed that we had a Word from the Lord to proceed with this, even though we were in our early fifty’s at the time. We needed a home study to send to the government and the court in Russia stating that we were fit parents and capable of handling our new children. We proceeded with this requirement and had a social worker come to our house for the initial consultation. We paid her $650 in advance for her report. A week later , we received a letter and the report stating that we were not fit to be parents because of our biblical views on parenting! Neither our references nor our three grown children had been contacted. We began to wonder if God knew where we were in this process!
Job continued to be accused of wickedness although he was not aware of any known sin in his life. (Job 22:5) He had been walking by faith in God and had lost everything. He was having trouble finding God and wanted to see Him and talk. (Job 23:2-4) Although Job had searched for God, he was confident that God knew the way of faith that he was walking. He knew that testing would result in something good. (Job 23:10) Why? Job was closely following the Lord’s steps and kept His ways, speaking his words and truths. (Job 23:11-12)
God’s eyes are on our ways. In our situation, God was watching us even though we were in the midst of a trial. We tried another source for the home study, payed another fee, and got a good report. We were to walk by faith and not by sight! Our steps were closely following His Word and we were speaking confidence in God even though we weren’t sure what He was doing in that trial. God knows the way you take, too! If you are walking by faith, you too will come forth as gold!
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.” Job 23:10-12