Drawing close to Father God during trials
What do you normally do when in pain, or during trials, suffering, loneliness, sorrows and difficulties? Acts 14 tells us much about Paul and Barnabus, how they preached the Gospel and healed the sick in Iconium and Lystra. Some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and stoned Paul, leaving him for dead, but Paul and Barnabus managed to leave that city in the morning to travel to Derbe where they preached the gospel and made many disciples. They then returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, "strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. "We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said." (Verse 22)
Can you imagine returning to the very place where you meet your persecutors and near death, then saying "we must endure many tribulations to enter the Kingdom of God." Afflictions and struggles are very necessary for God to prove His faithfulness and healing for His precious children. What the enemy uses for evil, God uses for good. In the Bible, Joseph forgave his brothers who betrayed and sold him into slavery, saying, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19) When we are weak, Christ, through the Holy Spirit working in us, reveals HIS strength. When in pain and suffering, Christ brings healing. Our lack proves His provision. Our trials and tribulations bring about His victory. James 1:2-4 states – "Consider it pure joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
When we go through difficulties, they cause us to call out to Abba Father in prayer because we know that we cannot go through battles in our own strength. We need to REACH OUT in trusting faith to Jesus Christ, like the woman with the issue of blood had in Matt. 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8. "Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Don't let Jesus pass you by. "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6)
Don't reason with your intellect but keep in tune with the Holy Spirit. "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25) Verse 16 states – "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves."
Prayer song lyrics – "Purify my Heart, let me be as gold and precious silver; Purify my heart, let me be as gold – pure gold! Refiner's Fire, my heart's one desire is to be holy, set apart for You, Lord. I choose to be holy – ready to do Thy will." Blessed Abba Father God, please help me to be ready like Paul was, for whatever may come my way. I am facing hardships and many trials and cannot manage on my own. Please walk with me in the valley so that I can reach the mountain top of victory for Your glory and honour. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.
Myrtle Grimm-Turunen
