The Trial Of Your Faith – Page 3

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2017
Chapters: Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21
Message: The Trial Of Your Faith

Hello My Friend,

From time to time even faithful Christians go through things that have them asking God, “Why?”. We must realize that it is okay to ask God questions, He actually wants us to ask Him questions. As we draw closer to Him through our trials, we not only get a better insight spiritually, we can find comfort in His response, even if we do not understand His reasoning. While we may not understand His reasoning, sometimes the best answer is just knowing that we have Him by our side. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” – I Peter 1:7-9.

Faith, we all know it to be talking yourself into believing that something is true, but faith is much more than that, it is the foundation upon which we all must stand before God, without faith, God will not accept us. David had his share of ups and downs before and after he was king, and while he knew that God was always with him, he still wondered where he was sometimes. “Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.” – Psalm 6:4-9.

“I water my couch with my tears.” We do not actually have to shed tears to feel overwhelmed with what life brings us, anger, depression, anxiety, these are all emotions that come as a result of our trails of faith, and it can feel like God has disappeared somewhere. When God is no where to be found that is when He is actually closer than ever, working on us, teaching us, growing us, and listening to every word we say to Him. I heard someone say that if you are not struggling in life as a Christian that you must be doing something wrong, but I do not believe that, we may have to deal with some trials in our faith, but they will not last forever. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:11-13.

“when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Here is the key to our faith, when we come to God with all our heart. David knew this, and we are reminded of that time and time again through the Psalms he penned down. “O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.” – Psalm 9:6-12.

“hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” You see, God never leaves or ignores those who seek Him. Of course, we are going to wonder where He is at times, and yes, we are even going to complain to Him when we see others living wickedly have the time of their lives when all we seem to do is struggle. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” – I Peter 4:12-13.

Why does God seem to stand afar? To make us humble. David questions why the wicked get away with things while he was getting persecuted. “Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.” – Psalm 10:1-5,11-12.

“God hath forgotten:” The world likes to believe that they can live anyway the want, and still have a relationship with God, but let me tell you salvation may be only by the grace of God, through our faith in Christ, but that will not stop God from placing judgment upon the saved for the way they are living their lives. Judgment always starts at the house of God because we belong to Him, and He will not have His people behaving like a bunch of heathens, if they do, they will be punished just like a parent punishes their own child for disobeying their rules. God knows who are His. “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.” – Psalm 14:2-4.

“Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge?” The world does not know any better, which is why they seem to get away with the way they are living. The truth is, they have lived their lives being told that what we as Christians know is sinful is actually good, while what we know to be good is actually bad. I lived with a man for two years, and thought it was good as long as I was being faithful to him and he me. Do you know how hard it is to admit that what you were doing that is so natural in the world is wrong in God’s eyes? God sees everything, which is why He sent Jesus, He knows we are all filthy, that there is no good in us, not without Christ there is no good in us. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” – Romans 3:23-24.

Look, we are not perfect, we are going to mess up, especially when our faith is being tried, some will mess up more than others, which is why Jesus worked so hard to bring salvation to our souls, not our flesh. However, our flesh can be comforted through our trials of faith by sticking close to Jesus. Talk to Him, read His words, and He will help us through it all. “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” – Psalm 16:9-11.

Jesus Christ Magnified: Today, Jesus is revealed as the one made lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5-6) and the Holy One (16:10). Jesus, in all His power as God, lowered Himself to take on a flesh body to be redemption for us. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” – Hebrews 2:9.

Today’s Prayer: God, I will not pretend to understand all Your ways, I will never understand murderers and child molesters, but do not have to because You will deal with all sin Your way. While judgment comes to Your house first, You will never leave nor forsake one soul that knows Your Son as their Saviour, You will never see their sin because You no longer see them through their flesh, but the blood of Your Son. Lord, I believed in and received Your Son by faith, that means I can get through every trial by faith, lead me and guide me, show me the path of life, prepare me, grow me, strengthen me, shower with Your grace, mercy, patience, longsuffering, wisdom, for in Your presence is the fullness of joy, and of life here on earth. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://readytofollow.com/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Missed A Message: http://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength