April 15, 2022
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. Psalm 19:1-4
There is abundant evidence that all of the creative workings of the LORD’s are carried out with glorious precision; from the most breathtaking sights, all the way down to the finest unseen detail. Yet He leaves it up to us to choose whether or not to trust Him with the details of our lives.
Our finite human minds are met with a rigorous challenge upon hearing that the Source of life and the Author of salvation condescended to suffer the emotional and physical cruelties of torture and death—even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8) The relationship of Jesus with His heavenly Father is a wonderful example of prayer for each of us as we encounter the trials and tribulations of living in a fallen world. He overcame them all on our behalf. Yes, He allows our faith to be tested. It is only through a close relationship with the Prince of Peace that difficulties become divine opportunities to elevate our mundane paradigm to a heavenly one.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
If I am holding tightly to my relationship with Jesus during seasons of painful testing, I will understand that He has put me in a position to develop a stronger character; one that is moving steadily toward His likeness. By His grace, He allows me to see defects in my character that I had not seen before, for how can I be an overcomer of that which I am not aware?
This is where “the rubber meets the road.” The characters of each of us are not yet set—they are still moldable. I must ask: whose examples am I allowing to mold and shape my character? Am I going to cling ever closer to Him in confession and repentance unto spiritual growth? Or will I blindly lose sight of the opportunity, defaulting toward an ever-dulling mind and weakening discernment? I must actively seek God, refusing to allow myself to lose sight of the fact He desires to refine and strengthen my faith.
Beloved, every revelation of God—whether it be a deeper understanding of His character or new awareness of a defect in mine—constitutes an emergency! I must, without delay*, thankfully praise the infinite LORD of love for His mercy, asking His divine guidance to help me step directly into the light He is offering. The process of overcoming is sanctification. In the Old Testament, Jacob received a new heart and a new name: “Overcomer with God” for this is what the name Israel means! The promises Jesus made to overcomers in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are glorious!
*As soon as they hear of me they obey me; The foreigners submit to me. Psalm 18:44
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16