Quote from Forum Archives on May 28, 2002, 2:44 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

This message was recently sent to me. Though originally written
before the turn of the century (1999)!!! the words still ring true
today. As we begin another abbreviated work week, I encourage you to
think and meditate on these words and consider the plans God has for
each of us, plans to give us hope and a future - in Him.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

[Calvary Chapel] Devotional - 99-10-07 - When the Storms Roll

Job 30:20-22 "I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand
up, but you merely look at me. 21 You turn on me ruthlessly; with the
might of your hand you attack me. 22 You snatch me up and drive me
before the wind; you toss me about in the storm. (NIV)

Have you ever felt this way? Like God had turned His back on you? And
then, when you cried out in despair, He would turn angrily at you like
a frustrated parent with a spoiled child. The place we are to turn to
as a refuge in storms and trials seems to become closed to us. It is
in these moments that seem so powerfully dark that even the strongest
faith may waiver.

Not unlike Job, it is not unusual for believers around us to say such
warm and compassionate things as, "there must be some sin in your
life". I suppose it is not an impossibility, but trials are not all
because we've blown it. God is a so patient with us. He will chide us,
He will correct us sternly at times. We are His children and we will
be corrected - in love. It may be firm, but never harsh or cruel. In
this case, Job was being showcased by God to the enemy. He was hardly
being punished for bad behavior. Comments like the one above are like
throwing an anchor to a drowning man in the middle of the ocean.

Many people are uncomfortable around someone going through a difficult
time. Sadness and confusion are not always easy to be around. That is,
until you see the smile in the eyes of someone who is glad you took a
moment to just be with them and lighten his day for a little while. Do
that a few times and your discomfort will quickly be replaced with
compassion and hope to give to that person in need of it. And if there
is some sin in that person's life or not, they will need a friend who
will stick by them. 2 Cor 1:3-7 Praise be to the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all
comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort
those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from
God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives,
so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6 If we are distressed,
it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for
your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same
sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know
that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our
comfort. (NIV)

Lessons learned in difficulties are painful ones, but they are long
lasting. Comfort makes trouble more able to be endured, teaching us
patience. In all things there are anchors to our souls like our
salvation. The comfort and joy that is there in that acceptance and
certainty may be obscured, but can never be taken from us. If you can
honestly let that person know that you have struggled through the same
thing, he is no longer alone in that struggle. This kind of
encouragement is priceless. There is also the knowledge that, even in
the deepest pain or rejection, God will never leave us and that
nothing can take us from His protecting hand. John 10:27-30 "My sheep
hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give
eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall
snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me,
is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the
Father's hand. 30 "I and the Father are one." (NAS)

Lord Jesus - we are guaranteed times of trial in this life. Help us to
learn the things You have for us in these difficult times. Give us the
faith and the strength to share our weaknesses with others so they can
be comforted. Teach us to cherish the patience we learn and to draw
strength in the surety of our salvation and Your care for us. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Mike

mhoskins@cfdevotionals.org
www.cfdevotionals.org

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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