Most of us would love to have the kind sculptured spiritual muscles that the men and women mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11 had developed. However few would be willing to go through the process which God uses to develop this kind of dynamic faith.
We enjoy reading about the great victories and accomplishments of those trusted servants of Lord, but cringe at the descriptions found in verses (36-38).
Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword.They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated – the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Hebrews 11:36-38
None of us want to go through such horrific situations, but adversity is God’s way of building our muscles and purifying our faith…. Right!
God is a master sculptor and we are hidden works of art within the slab of marble. He so lovingly and carefully chips away at everything that does not fit the masterpiece He is creating.
The chisel hurts!
Our character is the first area to be shaped. God’s goal is that His followers take on the image of His Son, and there are some traits and attitudes that must be chipped away in order for Him to complete this task.
His chisel lays bare roots of sin and selfishness.
Ouch!!!
But as the layers come off – God carefully and skillfully shape His masterpiece. To protect us, God sometimes uses adversity to strip away everything we have relied upon so that we will cling only to Him.
Developing spiritual muscle is not always a joyous process yet we are instructed to be joyous during times of tribulation and testing that we may become complete.
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. (James 1:2-4)
Endurance requires patience and time, so we must hold our post like a good soldier until the battle is won. That means shouldering the burden of evil, affliction, or persecution courageously while trusting that God who allowed the circumstances will faithfully bring us through stronger and more fit.
For His glory and our good!
Blessings,
Robin
Leave a Reply