BEHIND
EVERY TEST LURKS THE BLESSING OF GOD
“Blessed is the one who perseveres
under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown
of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:5
Across the years I’ve enjoyed reading a variety of Max
Lucado’s books. One of those books, The
Eye Of The Storm, included the story of a parakeet that mirror’s a bit of
life’s challenges…
“CHIPPIE THE
PARAKEET NEVER saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage.
The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over. The problems began when
Chippie’s owner decided to clean Chippie’s cage with a vacuum cleaner. She
removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage. The
phone rang, and she turned to pick it up. She’d barely said ‘hello’ when
‘sssopp!’ Chippie got sucked in.
“The bird owner gasped, put down the phone, turned off
the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chippie– still alive, but stunned.
Since the bird was covered with dust and soot, she grabbed him and raced to the
bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water. Then,
realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate
bird owner would do . . she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with
hot air.
“Poor Chippie never knew what hit him.
“A few days after the trauma, the reporter who’d
initially written about the event contacted Chippie’s owner to see how the bird
was recovering. ‘Well,’ she replied, ‘Chippie doesn’t sing much anymorc he just
sits and stares.’
“It’s hard not to see why. Sucked in, washed up, and
blown over . . . that’s enough to steal the song from the stoutest heart.”
Life includes times of testing for sure. All God’s
Children get tested. What’s God’s purpose in that? Why does He allow us to be tested? Is God the One who always does the
testing? These are great questions and
well worth our consideration.
Do you know what the number “10” represents all through
the Bible? TESTING! Let me give you a
few examples. How may plagues were there in Egypt? Or, How many times did God
test Pharaoh’s heart? Ten. How many commandments are there? Or, How many
ways is our obedience tested? Ten. How many times did God test isreal while they
were wandering in the wilderness? And how many times did God test Jacob’s heart
Do you know what the number 10 represents all through
the Bible? Testing. I’ll give you just a
few examples. How many plagues were
there in Egypt? Or, how many times did God test Pharaoh’s heart? The answer is 10. How many commandments are there? Or another
way to say it is, in how many ways is our obedience tested? The answer is
10. How many times did God gest Israel
while they were wandering in the wilderness?
And how many times did God test Jacob’s heart by allowing his wages to
be changed when he was working for Laban?
How many days was Daniel tested in the first chapter of his book? In each case, the answer is, of course, 10.
The pattern continues in the New Testament. In Matthew 25, Ten Virgines had their
preparedness tested. Ten days of testing
are mentioned in Revelation 2:10. We can
see from these examples in the Word that 10 is associated with testing.
We’re getting ready to begin a New Series this
Sunday: THE TEN TESTS OF ABRAHAM. We’ll be walking with him through the tests
he endured. I’ve an idea that we will
have a great chance to learn much from this seasoned saint. I can’t wait to begin this next trek with
you. This is one of those times to
include that friend or family member who is in the midst of life’s difficulties
and doesn’t understand that there is an awesome experience for them to grow
from. Be bold enough to invite them. They will end up thanking you! I’ll close with this little prayer I read
this week.
Dear God, bless my 2017 with turn arounds. Turn my lack into plenty, my confusion into
clarity, my tests into a testimony. Lord
bless my 2017 with breakthroughs, miracles, and change. In Jesus Name. Amen
I’ll see you tomorrow!
Pastor D
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