"Trials make the promise sweet..."

Sanctified Trials

Posted: 27 Feb 2013 12:01 AM PST

originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2009.

“Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.”
Job 10:2 (KJV)

If today you are tired, worn down, and acutely feeling the pressures of daily life, perhaps the Lord is doing this to develop your graces. Some of your graces would never be discovered if it we didn’t face trials in our lives.

Do you realize that your faith never looks as grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a firefly, showing little light except when it is in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star, not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God sets the jewels of His children’s graces, to make them shine even greater.

It may have been only a little while ago that, on your knees, you were saying, “Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith.” Were you not really, though perhaps unknowingly, praying for trials? For how can you know that you have faith until your faith is tested? God often sends us trials so that our graces may be discovered, and that we may know for sure of their existence.

It is not merely discovery. Real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His children, not in dwellings of ease and luxury, but by using them in hard service. He makes them cross through streams, swim through rivers, climb mountains, and walk many long miles with heavy backpacks of sorrow on their shoulders. Could this sanctification account for the troubles you are facing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you?

“Trials make the promise sweet; Trials give new life to prayer; Trials bring me to His feet, Lay me low, and keep me there.”

Question: Do you know someone who’s been going through trials who might appreciate hearing this message?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/02/27/cs_sanctified-trials/

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Jump for Carter Joy!

We only have one heart so Taylor is learning to take care of her's and wants to help you take care of yours too! She is raising money for the American Heart Association by participating in the Jump Rope For Heart event at her school on Friday, February 15th.

Taylor will be jumping in honor of her little cousin, Carter Joy, who was born with a heart defect and underwent open heart surgery when she was just days old.

 

 

Heart Disease can happen to anyone so it's really important to be physically active and eat healthy. Did you know that heart disease is our nation's number one killer? Help Taylor become a lifesaver!

 

Will you make a donation to help Taylor reach her goal? It's fast and easy to do on her personal webpage. Just use the link below to support Taylor today!

http://jumpgsa.kintera.org/jumpforcarterjoy

 

 Your contribution will support the American Heart Association's work to:

- Put up-to-the-minute research into doctors' hands so they can better prevent and treat heart disease among patients.
- Fund groundbreaking pediatric heart and stroke research.
- Train more than 9 million health professionals and others each year in emergency cardiovascular care.

Please support Taylor as she "Jumps for Carter Joy!"

 

 

 

Thank you!

 

Love,

Tiffany