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Testing of your faith
Posted : 21 Sep, 2014 06:00 AM
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
� Habakkuk 3:17-18
Today's Scripture from the book of Habakkuk is a magnificent description of a heart that holds on to joy by faith. The prophet looked around him and knew he was in a season of deep trouble and need. But in spite of all the negative circumstances, he said, "I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in my God."
Solomon said, "For the happy heart, life is a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15, NLT). The psalmist wrote that in the presence of God there is fullness of joy and at His right hand pleasures forevermore (see Psalm 16:11). Jesus said, "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life" (John 10:10, NLT). God wants us to experience joy as believers�not a fickle happiness that depends on circumstances or changes with the wind direction, but a joy that remains in spite of what may be taking place around you.
Anyone can be relatively happy when things are going well. But when you face adversity or sickness or hardship and then rejoice, you show that something supernatural has occurred in your life. In fact, you show yourself to be a real Christian:angel:. This is a unique trait of believers�that we can rejoice:yay: when things go wrong.
How do we do it? We find the key in Philippians 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" Paul didn't say to rejoice in circumstances. Rather, he said to rejoice in the Lord. In other words, God is still on the throne. You're still going to heaven:angel:. You're still forgiven, if you live a godly life:angel:. God still has a plan for your life; He has not abandoned you if you live with Him :angel:and NOT against Him. We need to take joy in the Lord always. That is the key. His plans for godly sons of God are still good. And He will never leave or forsake us if we will KEEP our faith OBEYING :angel:God.
Profiting from Trials:
2 My brethren, count it all joy :yay: when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work:angel:, that you may be perfect :angel:and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable :winksmile:in all his ways.
James 1
Luke 21:19
Stand firm, and you will win:boxing: life.
Hebrews 6:12
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate:angel: those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled :angel:and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven:angel: for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith :angel:for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice:yay:, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness :angel:of your faith, being much more precious than gold :glow:that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise:angel::applause:, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (When Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world!!!), 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice :yay:with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith�the salvation:angel: of your souls.
1 Peter 1
Being much more precious than of gold:glow:
Gold is the most precious of metals, faith is more precious far; the proof of faith:angel: is more momentous beyond all comparison than the proof of gold:glow:.
Gold is tried with fire; as by the purifying fire gold is purged of dross (Isaiah 1:25), so by the refining fire of temptations the faithful are cleansed:angel: from pride and self-reliance and the pollutions of sin.
Trial�testing, proving. That your faith so proved "may be found unto praise:applause::angel:," the praise to be bestowed by the Judge Jesus as the result of its being proved on the Judgment Day!
FAITH rather, "than gold"...
though�"which perisheth, YET is tried with fire." If gold, though perishing (1Pe 1:18), is yet tried with fire in order to remove dross and test its genuineness, how much more does your faith, which shall never perish, need to pass through a fiery trial to remove whatever is defective/sins and to test its genuineness and full value.
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