A man asked the Lord "Is it true that for you 10,000 years is just like a minute?" The Lord said, "Yes." The man said, "And is it true that a million dollars to us on earth is like a penny in heaven?"  The Lord said, "Yes."  The man said, "Then, Lord, could I have a penny?"  And the Lord answered, "Sure, just a minute!"

 

It is true that how the Lord views time is far different from our own view.  And what He values may run contrary to what we value.  There is, perhaps, no place where that is more evident than in the area of troubles.  When we go through troubles we would prefer to end them quickly while the Lord seems to prefer for them to stay, at least for awhile.  The problem is that we rarely see the purpose, at least up front, while the Lord is all about purpose, from beginning to end.  Our preoccupation is with our own comfort while the Lord is focused on our character.  In most adverse situations, we want our will to be done while the Lord is answering our prayer that His will be done (on earth as it is in heaven).  And His will on earth has much to do with the character development of His children.

 

No matter how much we may protest, we had better learn this: God uses storms to grow our faith and change our lives.  He never wastes a storm!  We just don't always get the lesson-which may help explain why it seems to take so long to get through them. Nevertheless, our Master-teacher is using them, so we might as well learn from them. 

 

James put it this way: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom (as to why this is happening and how God is using this), he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:2-5).

 

So, in your storm, practice what we learned this past Sunday:

• Draw Near (to the Lord)
• Do Not Fear (the Lord is by your side)
• Do Persevere (the Lord has a purpose in it all)

Blessings Today,