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Being justified is what faith is all about. If we are justified by what Jesus did, then our salvation is assured! That should give us peace! That should make us rejoice in the hope that he has given us. That should even take away our fear of death. One man's wife had died a few years before him, so when he passed the pearly gates, his wife was there to show him around. The beauty was fantastic! But he had a scowl on his face. When she asked him what was wrong, he said, "If you hadn't given me all those vitamins and all that healthy food, I would have been up here long ago!" That story should put our future into perspective. We can even rejoice in our suffering! I have talked with folks who have had an experience where they didn't know where their next meal was coming from. I grew up during the Depression, but some today are experiencing troubles also.
The lesson for all of us should be that God always provided and always will! We can see this if we look back on our past and wonder how we ever made it this far. The daughter of one of my confirmands had two experiences that proved to her how God was watching out for her. She and a friend had tickets for a movie but couldn't go at the last minute. That was the night a madman shot and killed several of those who attended. If that were not enough, an arson started a fire in her apartment. She lived on the fourth floor and the fire blocked her from taking the stairs down. The only option she had was to jump from that fourth-floor window. She broke a few bones and a lady pulled her away so the building would not fall on her. A month later she was home and back at work! God had saved her twice, and now she knew that whatever she might face in the future, she had a God who was watching out for her. Now God had built perseverance and character in her. She knew he would not disappoint her.
Hope will not disappoint us. God has poured out his love in our hearts. That love should move us to show love to others. But why does God have to put us through so many trying experiences? Why does he test us? It is because he wants us to grow strong in our faith. That will also make us an example for our family and for others. How many children I know who brag about their parents and what they have endured. God may be testing you, perhaps in nothing more than to have to sit in a hard wooden pew for an hour on Sunday! We dare not give up if we want the reward that is waiting for those who persevere. God will give us hope and peace if we endure.
The lesson for all of us should be that God always provided and always will! We can see this if we look back on our past and wonder how we ever made it this far. The daughter of one of my confirmands had two experiences that proved to her how God was watching out for her. She and a friend had tickets for a movie but couldn't go at the last minute. That was the night a madman shot and killed several of those who attended. If that were not enough, an arson started a fire in her apartment. She lived on the fourth floor and the fire blocked her from taking the stairs down. The only option she had was to jump from that fourth-floor window. She broke a few bones and a lady pulled her away so the building would not fall on her. A month later she was home and back at work! God had saved her twice, and now she knew that whatever she might face in the future, she had a God who was watching out for her. Now God had built perseverance and character in her. She knew he would not disappoint her.
Hope will not disappoint us. God has poured out his love in our hearts. That love should move us to show love to others. But why does God have to put us through so many trying experiences? Why does he test us? It is because he wants us to grow strong in our faith. That will also make us an example for our family and for others. How many children I know who brag about their parents and what they have endured. God may be testing you, perhaps in nothing more than to have to sit in a hard wooden pew for an hour on Sunday! We dare not give up if we want the reward that is waiting for those who persevere. God will give us hope and peace if we endure.
