Today´s reading:
OT: Numbers 15:17-41, Numbers 16:1-40
NT: Mark 15
Ps: Psalm 54
Pr: Proverbs 11:5-6
Today´s notable verse:
Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me.Psalm 54:4 (NIV)
When my engagement ended, of all the things I went through emotionally, the one constant I knew without a doubt was that I was sustained. Through it all, I always knew that God was with me: helping me, sustaining me. As life went on from that moment, I never faced depression, or despair; I couldn’t describe my state of being in any other way than that one word: sustained. I had absolute peace that God was in control, that He had a good plan, and that He would work out even this situation for good. While there are still several things that I don’t understand, I am content knowing that I may never understand – and I know that understanding isn’t the desired end, but rather faith. I thank God for – at the very least – using this experience to develop in me absolute and utter reliance upon Him, and Him alone, to sustain me in every circumstance.
The One Year Bible Blog notes:
“Trial By Fire” – ever hear this term? I think this term may have gotten its genesis here in Numbers chapter 16. Korah’s rebellion caused Moses to explain how this true trial by fire would go down in verses 4 through 7
I am reminded of Paul’s words: that our lives – what we have “built up” – will be tested by fire, and we willl all pass through. Either we will come out with the testimony of our lives refined as precious stones or precious metal, or else that testimony will be burned up like so much chaff and we will escape with naught but our salvation – our foundation of Christ:
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
I Corinthians 3:10-15
This day will be our own “trial by fire.” May what I am building be revealed to be worthy!