Have you ever wondered why Christians finds themselves in a difficult period of life? It almost doesn’t seem fair.
I know that I have both heard – and, if the truth be told – have myself wondered how it can be that non-believers can often seem to be having it “easier” than believers.
I don’t know if I mentioned it before, but I’ll drop in now that if there were ever a purgatory we are in it. Earth is where heaven and earth collide. For those who are going on to heaven, this is all the hell we will ever see. For those not, this is all the heaven they’ll ever see. So let’s not envy them… but rather, we should pray for them.
But back to my original question… “Why?”
The answer for us lies in the same place it did for Jesus…
“And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.” Mark 1:12
A wilderness is a tough, rough, barren, dangerous place. And the Spirit drove Jesus to it. And He drives us to it as well.
And for the same reason.
“And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.” Mark 1:13
When the Bible uses the number 40 it is symbolic of a generation. The Holy Spirit has driven us into the wilderness, to be tempted (or put to the test) of Satan, among unbelievers (wild beasts)…
BUT NOT WITHOUT SUPPORT…
For angels are sent to us to meet our needs.
Our time here is relatively short compared to eternity. We are here to glorify God. The world is measured by performance.
We are tested so that others can see the strength of God’s Word.
He has already passed the test. He came through the wilderness. When we go through it we remind the devil that he is already defeated.
Therefore, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4
We don’t go through suffering and wilderness to lose… but to gain.
SDG
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