Exodus 35:30-36:36, Job 31, Psalm 66, Mark 6:1-13, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
We long for our walk with God to be easy with an absence of trouble, yet very few times if ever in the Bible do we read that this is the case. Instead we read of troubles and hardships galore yet the key is that God is with that person and gives them strength, hope and endurance to withstand the adversity. Listen to how Psalm 66 puts it:
10 “For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
11 You brought us into the net;
you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
12 you let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance”
Maybe you can identify with this writer knowing that crushing trials that have come your way only to refine you. I pray today that you are living in that land of abundance. Even if you have not made it there yet, hold on. He is with you and He is strengthening you and He will come through with you and for you. Look just a little further in the scripture to see what God wants us to do with our testimony.
16 “Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will tell what he has done for my soul.
17 I cried to him with my mouth,
and high praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.
19 But truly God has listened;
he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God,
because he has not rejected my prayer
or removed his steadfast love from me!”
Testify to His grace, mercy, goodness, and steadfast love in the midst of your struggle. He is honored and glorified! Notice that iniquity separates us from that clear channel with God, so confess sin so that the pathway is clear. He does listen and longs to help those who call on Him.