Tag: problems

Refining Our Faith

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In the book of Psalms, how many times does King David ask the Lord to search him, to examine him and to evaluate his heart?

That can be a frightening request to make of the Lord.

It’s frightening because the Lord is going to find flaws, and once He does, those flaws will need to be corrected, and that will probably be an unpleasant experience, even though the sinner is better off for it.

However, King David is able to make that request in faith, because he understands that the Lord will use that for his transformation.

So, in Psalm 17:3, David is able to confidently tell God, “Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”

The proving of David’s heart carries with it the notion of testing and refining metal. The reason David could speak so confidently with the Lord about his own character is that he knew God would examine him, refine him, examine him, and refine him some more.

As one would take multiple steps to purify gold, or to refine steel, God took multiple steps to examine and refine David, putting David through the refining process multiple times until he became the man God intended on him being.

This is not a pleasant experience. God works through the trials of our faith to refine us into the people He intended on us being. (1 Peter 1:7)

Peter tells us that, while these trials of our faith cause us heaviness, the refining process of our souls is of greater value and importance than the refining of gold.

Not only does the suffering brought on by our trials refine our faith, but it also strengthens us, giving us endurance and hope. (Romans 5:3-5)

Through this process, we become who God wants us to be, faithful people who are grateful for the blessings He has given, who are anxiously awaiting His return.

So, if you are going through the refining process right now, take heart. I know the process has lasted longer than you thought you could endure, and I know that at times it’s excruciating and heartbreaking.

What I can tell you is that none of this is wasted, and every bit of it is creating you to be the person God designed you to be, and the person God designed you to be is far more magnificent than anything you could imagine.

I don’t know what is next for you, but I can promise you, that as you go through this refining process, the day is coming when you can stand before the Lord, confidently as King David, saying “Here I am, you searched me, tried me, and refined me, and I am here to enter your Kingdom!”

The victory is coming. Peace is coming. Rest is coming. Hang in there.

The Lord: Protects, Rescues, and Comforts

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Has the entire world ever collapsed on you? I mean, has everything that could go wrong in your life gone wrong, at the worst possible moment, and has it all gone wrong at the same time?

Have you ever had the time where you employer laid you off, your spouse walked out, the bills came due and the transmission on your car blew up, all at the same time?

The problems in life can pile up and become overwhelming. Scripture not only validates this experience, but shows us how we can find peace during those super-storms of life as well.

In Psalm 3, King David had been evicted from the palace, thanks to a coup led by his own son, Absalom. He was on the run and hiding in the wilderness.

To the casual observer, it seemed that David’s time as king may have been ending, with many believing that not even God would step in and help him.

King David wrote, “Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.”

King David acknowledged his troubles and even came to terms with how they made him feel. Not only were troubles piling up against him, and enemies rising from every direction, but he also experienced the intense loneliness that often comes with life’s storms.

Despite the ongoing betrayals and problems against him, however, David never lost faith in the Lord.

In verse 3, David acknowledged that the world turned its back on him, “But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”

David knew that even when no one else loved him, and when there was nothing but bad news on the horizon, God still loved him, and stood as his shield, and encourager. For David, that was enough to keep his head up, and to keep him moving forward.

Knowing God still had his love and favor upon David, he reached out to God, and then praised Him for his deliverance.

Psalm 3:4-5 says, “I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.”

David prayed, God listened, and the Lord sustained.

I will tell you that there is nothing this world can do that can truly hurt you, because beneath your family, possessions, wealth, and even your body, is your soul. And nothing can touch your soul if you belong to the Lord.

I have personally experienced times when I was attacked on all sides, with troubles arising from my family, my work, my church and my finances, all at the same time. I will tell you that the Lord was with me.

With the Lord’s presence and favor upon me, I was able to withstand the storms, pass through the fire, and I stand here today able to tell you about it. There are scars… but there is also hope, and the promise of a Spiritually abundant life ahead.

So, when you feel that this world is about to swallow you whole, don’t give up. When there’s trouble on all sides, don’t surrender. And when you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, don’t despair.

God is still there, and He will answer you and pull you through, if you trust Him and call out to Him.