Notes From Pastor Anthony’s Desk;
The
following is a devotional that I receive each week by e-mail by Os Hillman. I
thought it was worth sharing with each of you. Hope it edifies. Pastor A.
When
God calls one of His servants into service, there is often much travail. There
are many examples where God makes His presence known through circumstances that
tax the individual to his very soul.
Consider
Paul, who was stricken blind on the
Consider Peter; when he denied Jesus after the crucifixion, he was in total
despair.
Consider Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were thrown into the fiery
furnace.
Consider Daniel, who was thrown into the lions' den.
Consider David, who was forced to flee his former employer for many years and
lived as a fugitive.
It
may seem strange to us that God uses such incredible adversity to prepare His
servants for greater service, but this is God's way. God knows that the human
heart is incapable of voluntarily stepping into situations that take us beyond
our comfort zone. He intentionally brings us into hard places to prove us and
to drive us deeper into the soil of His grace.
In
arid regions of the world, trees cannot survive unless their roots grow deeper
to where the water table can be found. Once they reach the water, these trees
become stronger than any tree that can be found in tropical climates. Their
root systems ensure that they can withstand any storm. In the same way, God
brings us into extremely difficult situations in order to prove His power and
drive our spiritual roots deeper.
Friend,
God may take you through times when you will question His love for you. In such
times, you must cling to His coattail so that you see His purposes in it. Do
not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You
need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive
what He has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming
will come and will not delay. But My righteous one
will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with
him" (Hebrews 10:36-38).
In
my prayers,
Pastor
Anthony
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Updated: May 24, 2007