The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 2 Thessalonians 1:4,
"Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring."
I can't help but notice the juxtaposition of "persecutions and trials" with perseverance and faith in Paul's comment.
The Scriptures speak to how difficulties and trials in life are a part of the maturing process God has for each one of us. God's goal is that us sinners, with all our baggage, grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ - to emulate his character and nature. Paul says, "For those God foreknew [believers who would respond to the gospel] he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." Romans 8:29.
God actively engages us in this process, often through difficulties. In Romans 5:3-4, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." This perseverance, character and hope are a part of being conformed to the "image" of Jesus Christ.
Peter tells us the grief of trials is designed for us that we might grow in our faith, "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7. In light of this, Jesus warned us ahead of time of the difficulties he intends to bring into our lives for our good, much like the discipline a child receives from a loving parent to bring a level of maturity, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." Revelation 3:19.
Note what the writer of Hebrews says, "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all." Hebrews 12:7-8.
There may be those times in our lives we feel God just does not love us at all, with all the difficulties and trials we might face. The reality is just the opposite. It is precisely during those times of difficulty God is very involved in our lives, bringing us growth and maturity, conforming us into the image of his Son. It is those very difficulties that declare God's confidence in us that we are now ready for what he brings our way.
Good to keep in mind the wonderful words of encouragement from the writer of Hebrews, "They [our parents] disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
"Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring."
I can't help but notice the juxtaposition of "persecutions and trials" with perseverance and faith in Paul's comment.
The Scriptures speak to how difficulties and trials in life are a part of the maturing process God has for each one of us. God's goal is that us sinners, with all our baggage, grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ - to emulate his character and nature. Paul says, "For those God foreknew [believers who would respond to the gospel] he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." Romans 8:29.
God actively engages us in this process, often through difficulties. In Romans 5:3-4, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." This perseverance, character and hope are a part of being conformed to the "image" of Jesus Christ.
Peter tells us the grief of trials is designed for us that we might grow in our faith, "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7. In light of this, Jesus warned us ahead of time of the difficulties he intends to bring into our lives for our good, much like the discipline a child receives from a loving parent to bring a level of maturity, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." Revelation 3:19.
Note what the writer of Hebrews says, "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all." Hebrews 12:7-8.
There may be those times in our lives we feel God just does not love us at all, with all the difficulties and trials we might face. The reality is just the opposite. It is precisely during those times of difficulty God is very involved in our lives, bringing us growth and maturity, conforming us into the image of his Son. It is those very difficulties that declare God's confidence in us that we are now ready for what he brings our way.
Good to keep in mind the wonderful words of encouragement from the writer of Hebrews, "They [our parents] disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Hang in there while God works his wonders in you!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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