Don’t know about you, but it, has taken me a bit of time to get used to being restricted. I normally spend a fair amount of time in my office at home. But I am not used to spending all day indoors. As of last night the governor of our state has strongly urged people like me, older with underlying medical issues, in my case smoldering cancer that suppresses my immune system, to stay in our houses until April 30th! Ouch.
So, with those realities bearing down on us. I have yet to use my time, the extra time, I have been “given” well. I have slept past my normal 0530 or 0620 get up time. But, I have not done well using the time.
As a result, as I reviewed the last post, I don’t remember what the next point was. So…
It may be good to review some things all of us already know.
First, in all of this we are experiencing, God is sovereign. Further, He is love. God’s nature and character is not affected by what we are experiencing. As a matter of fact, it is the certainty of His unchanging nature that allows us to navigate times like this well.
In 1 Peter 1:3 – 5 (here @ Bible Gateway), Peter gives us two anchors to navigate difficult trials. First, we have an inheritance that is certain. That inheritance is reserved for each of us in heaven. Second, we have a salvation that protects us which will be revealed in the last time. Notice that neither the inheritance nor the salvation is revealed now. They are anchors in eternity to which we tie our hope and focus.
In Romans 5:1 – 11 (here @ Bible Gateway), we are encouraged to exult in three things, the hope of the glory of God, our tribulations, and finally in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have been reconciled to God. Consider this carefully, and you will see the parallels to Peter’s exhortation.
James also encourages us. In James 1:2 – 4 (here @ Bible Gateway) we are encouraged to count times like these as joy. Because, like in Romans 5, this testing produces endurance or perseverance (it is the same Greek word in both places). The result of perseverance or endurance is we become perfect and complete.
This is echoed in Hebrews 12:4 – 11 (here @ Bible Gateway). We go through difficulty for the purpose of sharing in His holiness with the result that we have the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Consider these passages. See what the Lord may have for you in this time.
So, with those realities bearing down on us. I have yet to use my time, the extra time, I have been “given” well. I have slept past my normal 0530 or 0620 get up time. But, I have not done well using the time.
As a result, as I reviewed the last post, I don’t remember what the next point was. So…
It may be good to review some things all of us already know.
First, in all of this we are experiencing, God is sovereign. Further, He is love. God’s nature and character is not affected by what we are experiencing. As a matter of fact, it is the certainty of His unchanging nature that allows us to navigate times like this well.
In 1 Peter 1:3 – 5 (here @ Bible Gateway), Peter gives us two anchors to navigate difficult trials. First, we have an inheritance that is certain. That inheritance is reserved for each of us in heaven. Second, we have a salvation that protects us which will be revealed in the last time. Notice that neither the inheritance nor the salvation is revealed now. They are anchors in eternity to which we tie our hope and focus.
In Romans 5:1 – 11 (here @ Bible Gateway), we are encouraged to exult in three things, the hope of the glory of God, our tribulations, and finally in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have been reconciled to God. Consider this carefully, and you will see the parallels to Peter’s exhortation.
James also encourages us. In James 1:2 – 4 (here @ Bible Gateway) we are encouraged to count times like these as joy. Because, like in Romans 5, this testing produces endurance or perseverance (it is the same Greek word in both places). The result of perseverance or endurance is we become perfect and complete.
This is echoed in Hebrews 12:4 – 11 (here @ Bible Gateway). We go through difficulty for the purpose of sharing in His holiness with the result that we have the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Consider these passages. See what the Lord may have for you in this time.
No comments:
Post a Comment