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It is reassuring to me that the characters of the Bible were human like us. They made mistakes, sometimes more than once. Samson had a temper problem and fell in love with the wrong woman. Jonah tried to run from God and lacked mercy for Ninevah. After calling God's fire from heaven, Ezekiel became scared and suicidally depressed. When we meet Rahab she was a prostitute in an evil city. Soloman took hundreds of foreign wives who did not believe in God, and was a poor father. David also took too many wives, seduced Bathsheba and was a horrible father. Aaron gave in to pressure and made a golden calf. Moses was cowardly and reluctant when faced with God's plan. Later he lost his temper and forgot to give God the credit for bringing water from the stone. Jacob and Rachel were schemers, stealing the father's blessing from Isaac. Sarah laughed at God's plan to give her a child in her old age. Abraham was so cowardly he didn't even try to protect his beautiful wife Sarah--lying to say she was his sister. Noah got drunk and passed out naked. Adam and Eve let themselves be enticed by the serpent and sought to become like God. The nation of Israel repeatedly forgot the God who saved them from Egyptian slavery, warring enemies, starvation and dehydration in the desert.
And yet...
And yet...
God still had a plan for them. He patiently cared for them and had a place for them in his plan. Nothing took God by surprise. He used their mistakes to teach them, to help them grow.
They questioned God. They asked about the purpose of existence and God's plan. How could God love us and let us suffer? Where is the justice? How long will I have to wait for God's blessing? What is the point?
Looking for answers
When we think about the meaning in life, many look to accumulate wealth, invent something new or make a scientific discovery, be famous and remembered, build something impressive, make something beautiful, or reach for inner peace or enlightenment.
None of these things can fill the void in our hearts. All human creations are subject to decay, all knowledge can be forgotten and people disappoint. Recall the story of Job. He was on top of the world when he lost it all: his wealth, family, reputation and health. We need to look to the One who does not fall short for the answer.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus expounds in the parable of the rich fool. He has an amazing harvest and has to build a bigger storehouse to hold it all. He is happy that he is so rich that he will no longer have to work, but will be able to relax and party instead. Many of us may be like the man, working hard to save up money. Saying 'if I make more money, I'll be able to buy the house or car I need...if I work extra overtime now, then I can make up for it with a vacation...if I can just work for five more years, then I can retire and live the life I've always wanted!' But God knows that we are missing the point of life. Working for things and making big plans for future success is not what he wants of us.
"But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’" (Luke 12:20)
Also heed the warning the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus the beggar, read Luke 16:19-31. The rich man has no pity for the beggar and ends up in eternal torment. Then he finally learns to regret how he lived his life, but it is too late. The Bible has many such warnings against materialism. So if getting more things is not the answer, what is?
Life is a test and a trust
In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says that life is a test and a trust and a temporary assignment. He points to the many tests and trials throughout the Bible that developed and revealed character. In four different passages God is referred to as the potter and people as the clay. Picture the potter sitting at the wheel, gently shaping the clay into something beautiful.
So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold
that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in
praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:7)
Through life's trials, temptations and hardships we must stand strong. Remember that those that endure to the end will be saved. The refining fire burns away those that have a week, superficial faith and the precious metal remains.
He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. (John 15:2)
Being shaped as the clay doesn't sound so bad, but being put through the fire and pruned sounds painful! Mold us into righteousness through an arduous battle to overcome addiction, snip off our misplaced trust through a job loss, burn away our false faith through the heart-rending loss of a loved one. It is our response that builds and reveals our character. Do we continue to trust in God; that he loves us and this is part of His plan? Do we give him the glory on the mountain and in the valley? Say 'help my unbelief' and allow the Holy Spirit to sustain us.
We each experience God's test and refinement in different ways, but the goal is the same-- to become something strong, useful and beautiful for God's glory; holy and blameless before the Father.
So here's a question to ponder: is God's test pass/fail or graded? Is it just to make the cut or are their gradations of success in God's Kingdom?
To be continued...
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