Series: Flowers in the Desert
Roman’s 8:28 ESV
Isaiah 41:13 ESV
Jeremiah 1:5 ESV
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Psalm 9:9-10 ESV
Psalm 9:9-10 The Message
The big thing about being in a trial is that it’s a “trial”.
According to the Oxford Dictionary a trial is “a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.”
The problem with that definition is that it’s according to the world’s standards.
A trial that comes to us that is God ordained may feel like it’s a test of performance but it’s really not. According to God’s standard the test, any test that comes to believers is allowed because God has a specific purpose for it.
It’s God ordained.
It’s always always always ultimately for good.
We know that because the great scholar from the first century (The Apostle Paul) wrote in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Because the Apostle Paul was a true Hebrew scholar and a highly educated Pharisee prior to his conversion experience, he KNEW the Hebrew text. In those days students memorized text. Students MEMORIZED the entire text.
Paul knew by memory what the Prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 41:13,
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Paul knew that without fail God holds our hand. Every every time. During every trial, God is right there with us.
Paul knew we do not need to be afraid because God helps us.
Paul knew by heart the words Jeremiah wrote in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Paul understood and believed that God knew everything about him.
Paul also knew the Prophet Jeremiah’s words in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Paul knew when we are in a trial and we are up against a wall and we cry out to God, we will not be disappointed. He knew David’s words from Psalm 9:9-10, “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
In the Message, Psalm 9:9-10 says, “GOD’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.”
What I know from personal experience from a trial (in hindsight) is that each time in my life when it came, God was right there. When I was afraid it helped me to repeat Romans 8:28 over and over again to myself.
In the midst of the most difficult part, I learned to turn to God and collapse into the mighty hands of God.
Mind you, I did not tell God at the beginning of the trial, “I’m so excited for a new trial.” Instead, when something happens and I know a trial is ahead I ask God to help me to keep my eyes on Him.
I ask God to show me where He is at work.
I even tell God I need to feel His mighty arms around me.
While I’m not excited about it, I’ve learned to accept a trial as a gift.
The desert flower we celebrate today (pictured) is known as the Knowlton’s Cactus. It is on the endangered list. The survival of this plant (and all plants and animals) on the endangered list is in our hands. Pray that it will survive and thrive.
For our trials, we pray that we will remember God is at work in our lives for our good.
Spiritual Practice: For Good
Memorize Romans 8:28.
In God, Deborah
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