For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. - Psam 66:10-12Wimp that I am, sections of the Bible like these make me cringe. I must not be the only one, because I notice that worship song writers tend to skip over these, too. I guess I prefer to be happy and assume that all of the refining that God needs to do will be some sort of dermal micro-abrasion. But the changes that need to occur in me require heart transformation, by bringing my true character to the surface where it can be purified. God uses through four things to do this:
- Difficult work ("laid burdens on our backs")
- Personal shame ("brought us into prison")
- Submission to people we don't like or respect ("men ride over our heads")
- Physical hardship ("through fire and water")
Why does God do this? Because he is bringing us through to "a place of abundance."; a place of blessing.
Most of us would be happy in the land of mediocrity rather than deal with these things. But our soul longs for more. God desires more. The way to the place of abundance is only through the path of transformation. On that path, we must leave behind what we cling to so that our hands are open to receive what is so much better.
After I have passed through this difficult season, how will I be better able to receive from God? What is he asking me to let go of?
No comments:
Post a Comment