READ:
DEUTERONOMY 8:1-6
We often
look at what Good allows us to suffer while going through a wilderness
experience, and the next thing we ask is why such a loving God allows his
precious children to go through hardship. We may find it difficult to reconcile
suffering with promises such as: “For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a
future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11). “As a father pities his
children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him.” (Psalm 103:13).
The children of Israel questioned God's love for them in the midst of difficulties. In our passage today, God volunteers some answers. He wants to help cultivate virtues of humility and obedience in his children, and to prove your love towards him, whether it is feigned or real.
After waiting on the Lord for several years, God at last fulfilled his promise to Abraham and blessed him with Isaac. Some years later God observed that Abraham's love for him was gradually being eroded and channelled towards his son. That provoked God to jealousy. At this point verbal reassurance would not suffice. God needed to use a trial of faith to actually 'know what was in his heart.' So God called for Isaac to be sacrificed. In Genesis 22, Abraham's response shows that he was indeed a father of faith and passed the test brilliantly.
“And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” (Genesis 22:12). After passing the test, God reaffirmed his promises to Abraham, which later come to pass. In some cases, however, God may allow the child to die, the business may go and the wealth may develop wings and fly away, just as it happened to Job. Whatever shapes your circumstances may take, always remember, God means well for you in your wilderness and he has the power to restore any good thing you may lose in trial, several fold. Just rest in him. He will take you to your desired end.
The children of Israel questioned God's love for them in the midst of difficulties. In our passage today, God volunteers some answers. He wants to help cultivate virtues of humility and obedience in his children, and to prove your love towards him, whether it is feigned or real.
After waiting on the Lord for several years, God at last fulfilled his promise to Abraham and blessed him with Isaac. Some years later God observed that Abraham's love for him was gradually being eroded and channelled towards his son. That provoked God to jealousy. At this point verbal reassurance would not suffice. God needed to use a trial of faith to actually 'know what was in his heart.' So God called for Isaac to be sacrificed. In Genesis 22, Abraham's response shows that he was indeed a father of faith and passed the test brilliantly.
“And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” (Genesis 22:12). After passing the test, God reaffirmed his promises to Abraham, which later come to pass. In some cases, however, God may allow the child to die, the business may go and the wealth may develop wings and fly away, just as it happened to Job. Whatever shapes your circumstances may take, always remember, God means well for you in your wilderness and he has the power to restore any good thing you may lose in trial, several fold. Just rest in him. He will take you to your desired end.
MEMORIZE:
DEUTERONOMY 8:16 -Who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers
did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you
good in the end-
