Welcome back! We are on the fourth and final section of this series. I hope you have learned a lot and gained a better understanding of how and why we go through trials. Let’s dig into this final section.
Embracing Mercy and Trust in God’s Unfailing Love
Psalm 57: 1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. 2 I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. 3 He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. 4 My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth. 6 They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah 7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. 8 Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. 9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations. 10 For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, And Your truth unto the clouds. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.
This psalm speaks of mercy and trust in God. In times of trials, we seek refuge in God’s presence, and He shields us until the challenges pass.When we pray to God, He works miracles in our situations. Sometimes big. Sometimes small. No matter what happens, when it happens, we must trust God that He will take care of it in His way and timing. He takes care of the evil that is attacking us and works it out for our good and His purpose.
Verse four states, ‘My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.’ Lions is a metaphor for men of evil. The pride of lions, or sons of men, surrounds your soul. These men are on fire, like a demon, and their teeth and tongue are sharp. They will cut you down with your words.
But exalt God, praise Him. That is one of our weapons to fight back. God’s glory will shine in your situation. The evildoers or situation will do what they can to trap you in your steps and throw you in a pit. But God will trap them and throw them into the pit they dug for you.
We must keep our hearts in God’s direction, to give Him praise, even when we don’t see a way through this situation. God will bring you through it, and in the new day, you will see the end to the trial. Praise God anyway, even if you don’t feel it. Your praises reach Heaven and God will take care of the rest.
Bridging the Gap: Finding Common Ground Amidst Spiritual Divisions
Luke 12:49-53: 49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
There are some issues that cause division within our relationships, including our families. People reach a point where they disown others and fail to understand each other.This is especially true now in our cancel culture.
Jesus said He did not come to earth to bring peace. He came to bring Truth. He actually came to bring a fire. What type of fire? In verse fifty, He states He needs to baptize. He came to ignite the truth within us and cleanse us of all unclean things. Let’s take a quick look at fires (I will be writing a post soon about spiritual fires and will keep you informed).
Here are a couple of illustrations of fire:
Forest fire
Once ignited, the fire rapidly spreads, consuming acres in a matter of hours. It destroys every living thing, quenches the rivers and lakes. Once the fire is out, there is ash and rubble everywhere, a total wasteland of destruction. Or is it? When the rains begin in a few months, they cause flooding and landslides because there is nothing left for the waters to soak in, preventing them from being held back. Many months later, typically within one to two years of the fire, you will see animals coming back. AND, you will see new plant growth, growing from below the ashes and rubble.
Furnace Fire (metalworks)
Craftsmen place metals in a furnace fire to soften and mold them into the desired shape. The process burns off impurities, resulting in a beautiful piece of jewelry or a strong sword.
Both fire scenarios have the same outcome: beauty in the making. Fire is damaging, just as a trial can be. Fire burns off the bad things and can look bad in a trial. But, if we stay with Jesus, He will make beauty from the ashes. We are being transformed into a beautiful workmanship, shaped to be like Him.
Have you noticed a forest fire, once it has been put out, there is a clear division between the dead and living forest?
The living forest (people) looks on the devastation, wondering how this dead section will ever thrive again. But it does.
Fire is a purification process. It brings new life to the dead, kind of like a resurrection. The same division exists in a household. Let me explain.
Jesus said in verses fifty-two to fifty three: For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Jesus came to divide households. Why? Because He is looking for those that will follow Him wholeheartedly. And that means a fire must begin from within you to share the gospel. Not everyone in your family will accept the truth. I have seen it in my family and others. Some may follow Jesus to a point and then stop because they don’t believe He can work miracles or that he wouldn’t allow certain events to take place. But, throughout the bible, it speaks of God’s hate for idolatry, divorce, murder, disrespect to parents.
In the New Testament, it even states that if YOU hate your brother, you cannot possibly love God (1 John 4:20). God IS Love, Truth and the Word. If you don’t believe ALL of the bible, then you cannot be a true Christian. And that is the hard truth that family members and even friends cannot accept. So many people believe that they can “sin a little” or “one time” and then repent. They believe they will be okay. But that is not the case. If we purposefully sin against God, He will turn His back on you and say He never knew you.
In this case, we must stand up and fight for our faith. Share the love of Christ. Stop manipulating the scriptures to fit our lifestyles or conform to this world. Instead, we must conform our lives around the scripture and do our best to walk in righteousness if we want to follow Christ.
Living for Righteousness: A Commitment to Integrity and Faith
1 Peter 2:18-25: 18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Although we are not servants per se, we are employees or business owners. Who are the masters? Our boss, or if you are a business owner, your master would be your work or the IRS. So, we are to be submissive. What does that really mean?
We are to be humble and obey authority over us, regardless of how they treat us. This gives an example of Christlikeness. In verse twenty, the scripture states, ‘For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.’ How is being treated poorly and not doing anything commendable to God?
Because in our humility and suffering, God’s love flows through us. We are not conforming to the world, but instead, letting things happen (see Jesus’ crucifixion in the gospels and the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts). There is a reward if we keep our faith and don’t give up on our convictions. In the trials, be patient while suffering.
It’s hard, I know. But Trust God. When Jesus faced accusations, He chose not to make excuses or defend Himself by speaking out. He also refrained from retaliating when threatened. He just let it happen.
Jesus willingly endured ridicule, beatings, false accusations, and a horrendous death on the cross. He died for our sins, so we can live in righteousness. He has come to set all of us free of our burdens. But we must endure the trials just a little while longer.
Nurturing a Deeper Love for God in Times of Trial and Triumph
Romans 5:3-5: 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Although the trial you are in is difficult, take delight in it. What? Sounds weird? Let me explain. The testing of your faith molds and shapes you into the person you are meant to be. In these trials you must be persistent, which will form into strength.
With this strength you will gain confidence. That is your hope. It is pleasing to God, and He will shower you with love by the Holy Spirit. This is a great reward. There is an end to this suffering, this issue. Stay strong my friend.
Summary
Trials are hard. Painful. They make you want to give up. But don’t. Jesus is right there, holding His hand out, ready to help you, you just need to reach out and grab it. Let God in and fight those battles.
Even though you can’t see the other side of the issue, does not mean God is not working in it. He has a mighty angel army fighting those demons to send messages and fight them off in your situation. When you feel like all hope is lost, when you are weary, beaten down, and can’t take anymore, He will come through for you. Just watch. Have patience and believe. He is there. You’ve got this.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to thank you for sending this message to the readers. I ask, in Jesus’ name, for you comfort the weary souls and heal the hearts of those facing difficult situations. Father, open doors for them that only you can open. Let Your light shine on them so they can feel your warmth and kindness. I pray Father for wisdom in their situations. I pray, Lord, for an abundance of joy and blessings.
Thank you for all you do and continue to do. Thank you for delivering these readers out of their situations. You are a merciful and just God. Thank you for the miracles.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
