“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.”
as though some strange thing
“Strange” is something alien or foreign in nature. Suffering is not foreign to Christian living. Christians should expect trials to come their way. God has a purpose for allowing pain.
Although God designs suffering into our lives, He can handle any reversal that we may encounter. There never was nor ever will be a trial or heartache or disaster that is too great for the plan of God. When the Christian links with the providential plan of God, he can orient to suffering.
The “thing” in the phrase “some strange thing” could be anything. It could be the time when you were admitted to the emergency room and wondered why. You may find in your hospital room someone who needs the Lord. They watch you as you cope with pain. Now you know the reason. God put you in that hospital to be a testimony to the nurses and to testify to the patient in the next bed. You would have never met that person otherwise. You would have never had the opportunity to share Christ so extensively.
God has a plan, a program, just for you. That is why we know that “all things work together for good” (Ro 8:28).
happened to you
Nothing just happens to the Christian. Everything that comes his way comes from the providential hand of God.
PRINCIPLE:
The Christian should anticipate adversity as part of the plan of God for his life.
APPLICATION:
What happened to you last month? What is happening to you this week? Put down the things that happen to you as God factoring in “good” into your life. To understand this, you must come to a quiet place near the heart of God. There you can say to the Lord, “Yes, Lord, I know your providential care for me. You have a plan for me.”
We learn from the test so that we do not have to retake the test. We write over the test, “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20). We settle the test once for all. We need not go through it again. We can give our lives in reckless abandon to the One who loves us unconditionally.
Grant, thank you for your ministry and dedication to teaching the Lords Word. As you have been faithful, He uses your work to Bless and work on others. Today as I am going through my daily study, this hits me deep. I am in difficult times and your teaching on this (The Word Of The Lord) is His perfect timing. As “I” try to juggle all that life has thrown upon me this reminds me that I need to let go and surrender to the Father. To come to his feet and cast all my burdens on Him and to humbly ask for forgiveness for trying to handle everything in my own power and not leaning on Him for help.
I am so grateful for you and your teaching, God is using you in a mighty way!
Thank you again!