Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of our amazing God. He is filled with characteristics that define Him and that mean everything to us.
Lesson #44. Trials provide an opportunity to see God revealed up close and personal. Job said, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee” (42:5). Job would have spoken these words with deep and meaningful realization.
For people who have grown up in church, the attributes of God are well-known. These Christians can list and give definitions for the characteristics of God. Without a context, however, in which those characteristics become personally meaningful, this head knowledge has limited impact on practical life. In the context of a trial, especially one that is intense or extended, the attributes of God move from head knowledge to precious practical truth.
God is infinite. Adam, the first man, sinned and created an unbearable separation from God. Adam had no person to turn to for help, but there was a God who preceded him. There was a God who would live on long after Adam's death. There was an infinitely existing God who could foresee the problem and then carry out a redemptive plan to deliver Adam from his hopeless situation.
God is immutable. Esther had been removed from her homeland, had lost her parents, and was cast into the unlikely role of queen. The extinction of her people was imminent. Esther’s God had not changed. He was the same in Persia as He had been in Israel, the same in captivity as He was in independence, the same to the orphan as He was to the family. Although a heavy responsibility and high level of risk rested upon her shoulders, Esther could rely on an unchanging God.
God is self-sufficient. Elijah saw this attribute in wonderful form. In a time of drought and famine, Elijah was isolated and without resources. He saw God supply for him out of His unending resources. Ravens delivered daily food, and a brook supplied his water. When these resources expired, God provided perpetually through a widow’s handful of meal.
God is omnipotent. Moses observed some of God’s most incredible works first-hand. Moses faced the overwhelming role of deliverer to a slave nation held by a powerful and stubborn king. After finally escaping through the amazing miracles of the plagues, Israel was trapped next to the sea, about to be overcome by the pursuing army. God opened the Red Sea for Israel to walk through and then drowned the Egyptians.
God is omniscient. During his long and lonely years as a slave and prisoner, Joseph could not have known what God was going to do. By the end of the story, his eyes were opened. He saw that God had meant his trial for good. Without God’s plan, the fledgling nation of Israel would have perished during the extended famine, but because God knew, He initiated a plan decades in advance.
God is omnipresent. Jeremiah learned this lesson first-hand during his difficult prophetic ministry. Jeremiah lived through the siege of Jerusalem. He was at times thrown into prison. He accompanied the people on an ill-advised trip to Egypt. Eventually he was taken into foreign captivity. In every location, God remained with him.
God is wise. When the children of Israel came to Canaan, they faced mighty walled cities populated by giants and warriors. They did not know how to conquer each one. God gave Joshua instructions that often varied greatly from one situation to the next, but God was never without a solution in each new battle.
God is faithful. God called Abraham to leave his homeland and to live as a sojourner. God promised a son to Abraham. Abraham waited for decades, but God did everything He said He would do. He was with Abraham through every move from place to place, through every new day and year, and He gave the promised son.
God is good. Naomi had suffered tremendous loss when her husband and sons died. In great need, she moved back to Israel. She thought her needs would be minimally met by Ruth’s gleaning in the fields. In his goodness, God provided a redeemer who married Ruth and provided for her and Naomi. Bitter Naomi never expected to see this result.
God is just. Daniel had to make tough choices about his diet as a young man and about continuing to serve God as an older man. His decisions carried great risk, but Daniel found that a just God always worked the right solution. Daniel was protected and exalted, but his enemies were brought down.
God is merciful. In a moment of weakness, Peter denied Jesus multiple times. Realizing his failure brought great bitterness of soul. Jesus personally encouraged and restored Peter, leading him to blessing and renewed fellowship. God then greatly used this man who may have doubted ever having future usefulness.
God is gracious. In his missionary ministry, Paul faced dangers, endured opposition, suffered deprivation, carried responsibility, and was afflicted physically. Paul learned about the all-sufficiency of God's grace, experiencing God’s strengthening and sustaining through each challenge.
God is loving. Poor Hannah was without child and constantly belittled. For years this burden overwhelmed her heart, but then God responded by giving Hannah her desired son. In an abundance of unexpected blessing, God then gave Hannah three more sons and two daughters.
God is holy. Lot learned this in a very personal way as a front-row spectator to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their wickedness.
God is glorious. John had been tortured and placed into exile. As an old man, he waited in isolation. Then God revealed Himself through a vision, showing John a glorious display of Himself and of heaven. The remainder of John’s days were blessed with this incredible memory.
Each of these Bible characters could have quoted what Job quoted: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.” Each of these characters knew about God, but through their trials, God’s truth was personally and powerfully revealed. God continues this same work through trials today, taking fact and theory and making it personal and powerful.
Through trials, we can move from sterile, detached facts to deep and precious first-hand comprehension. Rather than wondering at other people’s stories, we now have personally precious truth to carry us through the rest of our lives. These lessons could not be so profoundly and meaningfully learned without the context through which they were so beautifully revealed. Through trials, we learn that everything we have ever been taught about God is true.
May God refresh and encourage you through the first-hand comprehension He has given and is giving you.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
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