Mark 1: 11 “And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”
Most printed copes of the Gospel of Mark are printed with a gap between verses 11 & 12.
This misleads many of us to believe that when God says he is pleased with us because of relationship, everything in life is going to be smooth. There are TV preachers and even local pastors that preach the message of “health & wealth” coming your way when you get right with God.
NOT!
God will desire and design challenging times in our lives to refine us like gold in the furnace. He wants to burn away anything or anyone we desire more than Him.
You see, God is more committed to our holiness than our happiness. Sounds like fun, huh? Yet, quoting the old TV show, Father knows best. He knows that as we pursue holiness in how we live and worship, joy will follow. He designed us to be vessels that contain and express His life to those around us and bring Him glory in all we are and do.
When difficulty comes into our lives we are to welcome it and see it as a gift from the Father. He is…
…the vinedresser trimming us to be more fruitful
…the Father disciplining those he loves
… the Holy God removing impurities from our lives.
Hebrews 12:10 says it well. “but he (God) disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.”
He is the loving parent who does not withhold that which is best for us. Why does He want to share his holiness?
Because it is how we are most fulfilled…fruitful. ..faith filled.
SO, next time you find yourself in trials, thank God for who is He is making you become.
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