A Perfect Match
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COLUMN: Heavenly Connections
A Perfect Match
by Tim Hall
"You'll never find that color of paint," said
Laurie. "This house must be eighty years old, and
I just don't see that color anymore." "I wouldn't
think so, either," said Bob, "but I saw an ad on
TV about a paint store. They said they could match
any color you bring to them."
Color matching is not a new phenomenon. Peter
spoke of the idea in 1 Peter 1:6: "In this you
greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if
need be, you have been grieved by various trials"
(New King James Version). "Various" is from the
Greek word "poikilos", a word which can also mean
"multicolored".
It's an interesting way of describing the
different trials we face. Some people suffer due
to ill health; others because of poverty, family
strife or natural catastrophe. Your trials are
navy blue; mine are mint green. No two people
suffer in exactly the same way.
Such an observation leads to a quandary, though:
"Can God help me with my problems?" There's no
doubt He can help others. We've read and heard
many accounts of how God has provided the answers
others have needed. But what about mine? If my
troubles are unique, will He be able to give me
aid?
That question is answered in 1 Peter 4:10: "As
each one has received a gift, minister it to one
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of
God." The word "manifold" is also translated from
"poikilos"; it's the only other time Peter used
that word.
This time, however, it does not refer to the
problems people face, but to the grace God is able
to provide. The same word is used by the apostle
to speak of human trials and divine assistance.
It's a perfect match!
Can we really count on God to send us such divine
aid? Paul answers with an unequivocal "Yes". In 1
Corinthians 10:13, he wrote about temptations,
another form of trials:
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.
"God is faithful" -- what a wonderful fact to
know! It means that He won't overlook us. When we
bring our trials to Him, He will provide the grace
to match our unique situation.
The paint store was as good as advertised. When
Bob brought in his sample, they were able to mix a
color that was virtually identical. Hundreds of
thousands of Christians can attest to the
truthfulness of God's advertisements, too. Every
trial laid before Him is matched perfectly by
grace that can only come from above. "Let us
therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time
of need" (Heb. 4:16).
I bring my grief to Thee,
the grief I cannot tell.
No word shall needed be,
Thou knowest all so well.
I bring the sorrow laid on me,
O suff'ring Savior, all to Thee,
O suff'ring Savior, all to Thee.
--Frances R. Havergal, 1870
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