-October 10, 2023-
Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,
“Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
(James 1:3-4).
The word patience can be translated endurance or perseverance; patience is a fruit of the Spirit and is thus produced by the Holy Spirit and made stronger through the trials we go through. That is why we can “count it all joy when we fall into various trials” (James 1:2).
We all need more patience. Life is not easy, but God’s grace helps us through difficult and challenging situations. Someone once said, “Faith endures trials. Trials come and go, but a strong faith will face them head on and develop endurance.” The Lord is with us in and through us in our trials. My trials will different from yours, and God uses trials for our good and for the good of others whom we share with; all for His glory.
Yesterday a had to go to the lab for a blood test and the whole facility was packed: the pharmacy, the lab, and the injection clinic as well. I waited close to an hour. Even before I went there I was thinking, “I’d better pack my patience,” and how I needed it! None of us like to wait in long lines.
In life, there are going to be delays, postponements, cancellations, changes, traffic jams, interruptions, and other unexpected and or unpleasant situations. Sometimes we have some advance warnings, but most times we don’t.
God uses people and circumstances in our lives; He wants us to trust Him, thank Him, and take every that happens to us as from the Lord. It does no good to resist or complain. Patience may be learned in books, seminars, or by sermons or Bible study, and they are all good and needed; but we learn best by experience and testing.
We are in God’s school and it is challenging. Thank God He gives us open book (the Bible) tests. Sometimes though, open book tests are the hardest because we have to know the material and where to find the answers. It reminds me of the labs classes I had in high school and college. It was hands on and gave us a chance to learn by doing and experimenting.
The Christian life has some basic subjects, but as we grow, they become more advanced and more challenging. Upper division classes go beyond the daily challenges that I mentioned. There is anger management, stress management, sorrow management, loss management, and conflict resolution. God wants us to pass and excel. Each test we take is designed to make us better Christians and more like Christ. Sometimes we may have to repeat the class if we don’t learn the lesson the first time.
We can’t have patience, endurance, or perseverance without being tested. Abraham was the father of faith and his faith was tested, especially when God asked Him to offer up his son Isaac. God spared him from doing it and provided a ram caught in the thicket. The Lord told him that he passed the test with flying colors. Genesis 22:12 says, “And He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’” It amounted to Abraham’s PHD thesis in faith and patience.
Have a blessed day learning, growing, trusting, and obeying. God’s school is year round. Stay safe and healthy.
Learning patience and faith in every session, we’ve so much to learn through in every lesson,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 