"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." ~ Proverbs 31:30

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Sanctification and God's Great Love

Sometimes life is all rainbows and unicorns, but more often than not it's a tough season in which many of us find ourselves.  Lately it seems as if nearly everyone is in a period of serious growth.  This growing, though a means of achieving richer, fuller lives, brings with it much pain.  It's uncomfortable and often makes us want to throw in the towel and say, "enough!"

Over the last several months there have been several in my life, including myself, who are dealing with growing pains.  Sometimes it feels as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel.  Sometimes, we see glimmers that alternate between being nearer to us and farther off depending on the day.

The pain is very real, but I would like to offer a bit of encouragement.  God uses difficult trials to mold our character into something that better reflects His glory.  It is through difficult times that we should be praising God for His constant care for our lives.  Does that make the pain any less?  Not always.  But sanctification should bring to mind that God has not forgotten us by any stretch of the imagination.  Rather, He is very much actively involved in the minutest of details in our lives.  Yes my friends, He cares that much.

When we look at it that way, how can we help but to recognize His love for us?

I often have a difficult time resting in the love of Jesus.  I know it's there.  I know it's real.  But my emphasis has always been on His discipline in my life.  However, it is wrong for me to separate His discipline and His love.  The two go hand in hand!  Being the loving Father that He is, how can He see poor behavior or a faulty mindset and not correct it?  It is challenging for me to see the loving side of His character.  When I'm going through an intensely trying period where I know I have character flaws that are being corrected, I sometimes have to make myself pause and see His great, steadfast love.  When I take the time to do that, I am humbled.  The God who did mighty works in the Bible is alive and well and still working with His people, not once leaving them to their own devices.

Do you not see how the sanctifying trials that God is leading you through today are expressions of His love?  He desires that we become more like Him.  Our sanctification is how He makes that a reality.  

Isaiah 43:1-3 says, "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."

Be encouraged today.  If you're going through a sanctifying trial right now, take a moment and meditate on the reality that God does not yank you around but that He has a very defined purpose behind having you walk through the fire.  He loves you and wants you to be like Him.  That is His heart's cry for His people.  He wants us to be holy as He is holy.

Take heart and know that you are hidden deeply in His love.  There is no escaping it.

Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Rest in that today and be refreshed.