Trials – why? He is making all things NEW.
Trials = putting to the test, putting to proof, trial of one’s character.
Definitions on http://god.god-cha.com–“A state of trial in which God brings His people through adversity and affliction in order to encourage and prove their faith and confidence in Him”
James 1:2-5 —
“ Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
1 Peter 1:6 —
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
John 16:33:
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Recently, something very sad was on the news about someone my family was acquainted with. The news revealed that the person whom we thought we knew to be of upright character, has had a hidden part of character uncovered. The person is not at all what he led people to believe. It’s grievous, sad and disappointing.
Trials prove ones character —
Choices reveal what a person’s true priorities, and reveal if a person truly thinks about how their choices can affect family, friends, large groups of people, etc.
Trials – temptations – are the proof, the test of one’s true character.
I know that I have referenced him before but if anyone had their character tested and tried it was: Joseph.
He is just a kid – and he tries to share with his family some important things that he is seeing. Rather than encourage him and want to learn more about his dreams – his brothers plot to kill him.
He is sold to the Ishmaelites.
He is taken to Egypt and Potiphar’s wife seduces him.
He flees her grasp and lands in jail because she is not only unfaithful but a liar.
He is forgotten about in jail.
However in God’s perfect timing — through the trial — all things are made new.
Joseph is set over all of Egypt. He is blessed above and beyond.
You can read it for yourself to be blessed — Genesis 37 through Genesis 50.
Joseph received all things new.
Jesus is all about bringing about newness in our lives.
His New teaching came with authority. Mark 1
His New commandment was to love one another. John 13 (Note: JUST AS HE loved us).
Clean out the leaven so that you will be new. 1 Cor. 5:7
He is the New Covenant. 1 Cor. 11; 2 Cor 3, Hebrews 8 & 9.
He makes us new. 2 Cor. 5:17
He gives us a new self. Ephesians 4:24 — which is the likeness of GOD.
Our new self is being renewed. Col. 3:10
He is making all things new. Revelation 21
Don’t let trials drag you down. Look up – remember that you are precious in His sight and He is making all things new from the inside — out.
2 Corinthians 4:
“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
In Trials:
T = (give) Thank(s)
H= (have a) Heart
A = (be on the) Alert
N = (remember He makes all things) New