Trials and Tribulations

As I said in an earlier post, MK's aunt sent me the Streams in the Desert devotional book, and it has literally spoken to me every single day that I've read it, and I have not skipped a day since receiving it in the mail.  The basic idea behind each day's devotion is exactly what James tells us in Scripture--in this world you will have trials.  I love that it addresses this head-on and doesn't sugar coat anything.  That's where I'm at, and that's what I need to hear.

I wanted to share this morning's devotional with you because it was so powerful to me:

Why standest thou afar off, O Lord?  Psalm 10:1

"God is a very present help in trouble.  But He permits trouble to pursue us, as though He were indifferent to its overwhelming pressure, that we may be brought to the end of ourselves, and led to discover the treasure of darkness, the unmeasurable gains of tribulation.  We may be sure that He who permits the suffering is with us in it.  It may be that we shall see Him only when the trial is passing; but we must dare to believe that He never leaves the crucible.  Our eyes are holden; and we cannot behold Him whom our soul loveth.  It is dark--the bandages blind us so that we cannot see the form of our High Priest; but He is there, deeply touched.  Let us not rely on feeling, but on faith in His unswerving fidelity; and though we see him not, let us talk to Him.  Directly we begin to speak to Jesus, as which shows that He is in the shadow, keeping watch upon His own.  Your Father is as near when you journey through the dark tunnel as when under the open heaven!"  --From Daily Devotional Commentary

Isn't that awesome perspective?  

What trials are you going through right now?  I would love to pray for you!

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