LOOKING BACK

As we come to the end of another year, it is good to look back over our pilgrimage. Many of you have experienced difficulties that were strange to you--things you would rather not have passed through. As with Job, things came upon you unexpectedly. Those circumstances, however grievous, were still under the control of the Almighty. Remember, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Cor 10:13). That means all of your temptations are monitored from the Throne! They do not come to you until they have passed by God. He does not allow them to come to you without a built-in "way of escape." What a blessed thought! Your trials are by design. The experience of them is not the point, but the EFFECT of them. If you are in Christ Jesus, God is getting you ready for glory. One of the primary functions of salvation is to orient you for the presence of the Lord. In order to do this, your affection must be uprooted from this world, and planted in the world to come. It is the peculiar prerogative of trials, when received, to do this. In the words of Scripture, "But may the God of all grace, Who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you" (1 Pet 5:10). Trials are not tests of weakness, but tests of strength. They are the Divinely appointed means of refining your faith, so it will appear precious and to your ultimate advantage at the appearing of Christ Jesus. As it is written, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:6-7). Both the temporality of life in the body, and the value of eternal life, are accentuated by trials. And so, child of God, this past year God has been at work in you. His work with you has been with keen and devoted interest. He is shaping you to fit into glory, and equipping you to reign with Christ Jesus. As you look back over the year, you can say with Samuel of old, "Thus far the LORD has helped us" (1 Sam 7:12). I know His help was not always apparent, but it was there! The Lord wants to be known as your "Helper," because that is what He is (Psa 30:10; Heb 13:6). Through the fire and water of your experience, many things may have changed. Your family, the circle of your friends, your health, or your economical status, may have been altered. But there are some things that have not changed. God is still your Father (Matt 5:16), and Jesus is still your Savior and Intercessor (Heb 7:25). The Spirit still is in your heart (Gal 4:6), and the angels are still your ministers (Heb 1:13-14). Your inheritance is still reserved for you in heaven (1 Pet 1:4), and you are still being kept by the power of God (1 Pet 1:5). Your name is written in heaven (Luke 10:20; Heb 12:23), and He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). Look up, and be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might (Eph 6:10). Your labor is not vain in the Lord (1 Cor 15:58), and God is not unrighteous to forget it (Heb 6:10). PRAYER POINT: Father, thank you for bringing me this far! I have made more progress than I ever thought possible, and it is all because of your grace. Help me to run the race you have set before me with perseverance. If I fall, I want to fall forward, and learn, even from my failures.