Devotionals

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2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
(James 1:2-4 The Message)

Are pressures treasures? James seems to imply that they are and he tells us why- ‘…your faith-life is forced out into the open and show its true colors…’
Pressures come in the form of trials, tests and challenges of life. Teaching in schools and colleges, I have discovered that learners do not like tests but teachers like to use them to elicit what the learners know- what they are capable of. It is not designed to punish them but to help them. I have dreaded some tests myself, even though I knew they were for my good. There are things we take for granted that we are competent of that are proved otherwise with a test.

Just as there are different types of assessments-the formal where you sit at the end of a term, the diagnostic which is the one you’re given on the spot to do to sow what you know and the summative which is given at the end of course, life has different types of tests. Daily we undergo different types of test that enable us to apply the scripture we know to show ourselves and the Lord if what we know is just a head –knowledge or a heart-knowledge. It is the heart –knowledge that motivates us to do what we do. And if we fail, we have an opportunity to repent and prepare for another test. Some of us learn the first time round others take longer. Unlike some educational systems where learners are moved on to the next class at the primary level regardless of their performance, this is not so with the Lord. We may go round some mountains like the Israelites until we learn a lesson and pass the test.
Furthermore, over a period of time we can be tested or challenged to demonstrate the truth we live by-our core values- not those we aspire to have. Once again we have another opportunity to make amends, grow and develop into what God wants to see.

Besides there is a final summative test coming in the end when we shall stand before Him to give an account as to how we lived our lives. our works will be tried with fire according to the scriptures to see if they will stand God's scrutiny.

Unfortunately, in the natural, it is hard to see trials and tests from James’ perspective. But if we ever do, then we can count it all joy because we know that the tests, trials and challenges will bring triumphs. No test or trails, no triumphs or testimonies.

What tests or trials are you facing to day?
See it from God’s perspective and you will be able to bear. He is refining you so that you can come forth like gold, like Job. In His time, He will make everything beautiful. You may be hard-pressed but you will not be crushed, knocked down but not knocked out. The outward man may be dying but the inward man is being renewed, refined, recharged, and reinvigorated, from glory to glory.

Let us pray:
Heavenly Father,

I come to You now, in the face of the trials I face. Help me, Lord, to see it from Your perspective and endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ.

Lord, grant me the grace to see where I am deficient and to implore your Holy Spirit to enpower me to rise above those weakness for your name's sake; where I am weak, You are strong.

May this trial complete its work in me to reveal Your good, greatness, glory: Your power, praise and Your light your life in me. Lord, root out any offensive trees, that I have allowed to spout, that bring forth fruits of darkness and unrighteouness. in me. I belong to you –spirit, soul and body. Have full sway over very nook and cranny in my life Perfect the good work that you have begun in me so that when I see you I shall be like You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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