I am feeling a bit down today. Lately I have been going through some trials financially and medically. It can be really difficult to keep a positive outlook when times are rough. I have been contemplating Yahweh’s provision a lot lately, how he provides for his children. Our Lord Yahushua (Jesus) prays for thankfulness for our “daily bread” and he also warns us not to worry since worrying is ineffective and shows a lack of trust in our Heavenly Father.
The thing is, we as human beings can only see so far. Just like the disciples, we can only look at the two fishes and few loaves of bread we have and exclaim “no way could we ever possibly feed thousands of people!” But our Lord exhorts us to have faith in him that he will provide what we need when we need it. Yahushua seems almost exasperated by the disciple’s lack of faith. He takes the meager food we offer him and blesses it, breaks it, and not only are the thousands fed but there are basketfuls leftover!
Oh, how I wish I would always trust in him to take what little I have and use it for my good. I wish I could always have faith that although it appears impossible in the flesh, nothing is impossible with God.
Our God is a God who calls us into the raging waters before he runs the river dry.
He asks us to trust in him, actively not just giving our mental assent to doctrines and creeds. He wants more of us, he wants more of me. And I am painfully aware of how far I fall short. That is when I fall into the arms of my Savior and say “thank you my Master, thank you for doing it perfectly, thank you for cleansing me and giving me grace so I can start again tomorrow.”
I am amazed at the faith of James when we exhorts us to “count trials of any kind a joy” (James 1:2). He is looking to the Heavenly things, the crown of life and salvation of those who preserve. Peter tells us that trials serve to test our faith, refine it like fire, so that it may result in glory and praise when Messiah returns (1 Peter 1:6-7)
There are many references to being joyful and blessed to endure persecution and trials. We are taught to regard them as fleeting, nothing compared to what lays in store for us when we preserve with faith. We are taught to identify with Messiah who endure such suffering for our sakes. In Hebrews 11 we see the faith of the saints laid before us “who the world was not worthy” and the theme is there in the Word occurring over and over again.
The message is loud and clear.
Trust in Abba, Yahweh. Have faith in him who has raised Messiah from the death. Believe in him who has proven himself faithful, who has kept you from stumbling and chastened you into a more perfect faith while we await for his return.
Fear not this world, cling not to its passions, store up treasure in heaven and focus on the perfecting of your faith in trials.
In fact the Word says that those who are not chastened by the Father are not legitimate children. It is an honor to be under the discipline of the Lord because it means he loves us. In time these trials will produce a “peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Heb 12:7-11).
In times like this I can do nothing but shout like the mourning Father “I believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
Thy Word is a Lamp unto my Feet 