REST IN THE WORD
In the process of Sanctification, it is not the pinnacle of the mountain highs or seasons without trouble where we experience our closest moments with Christ. It is in the valleys where character is formed, and God’s grace can be viewed most vividly. The Word of God testifies to this reality, encouraging those who belong to Him that it is through our suffering, hardship, and trials that we mature the most, and when we become more like Jesus. Our sovereign God in Heaven, who is above all things, and through all things purposes trials for our good and for His own glory. God does not delight in our pain during hardship and affliction, but it is in these times that our faith is refined (1 Pet 1:6-7; Rm 8:18; Jn 16:33), and we learn to trust and love our Creator even more.
One area in which God has revealed His glory and has grown me the most is through the organized, systematic, and college-level study of the Word, theology, and biblical counseling. To put it plainly, when I went back to Bible college at 45 years of age after being away from school for some 25 years since my electrical apprenticeship, it was very Hard! I found myself almost terrified the night my first paper was due and had to be turned in. The question might have gone through my head a time or two, asking, “What in the world have you gotten yourself into”? But God knew.
It was in that trial that some things happened. The first thing that occurred was the reality that something had been missing in my life, and that was the understanding that I needed to be in the Word much, much more. Instead of coming home from my day job, having dinner, and being so captivated by the television, that time should have been used to delight in the Word. I was without excuse. I heard a pastor recently say that “When I ask people when they really grew spiritually, they never describe an easy time. NEVER.” This was not an easy time, but the Lord was using this in my life for me to grow. With this said, studying the Bible and being challenged by its precepts and delighting in its promises requires something of us – opening it, reading it, consuming it, and meditating upon it. In the beginning, it will not be an easy task, and everything in your flesh will fight against the temptation to do something other than spend time with the Lord in His Word.
James has a good word for us about this when he said, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness [or perseverance]. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (Jm 1:2-4). Trials test our faith, produce perseverance, and then lead us to maturity. My encouragement to you and the reason for pointing this out is this – press on!
When your time in the Word is limited, rejoice in the time you have and utilize it well. When the world presses in on you and seems to be robbing you of joy, turn to the Word, and you will find “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7). Charles Spurgeon said, “Marvel not that I say this unto you. It was God’s word that made us; is it any wonder that his word should sustain us? If his word gives life, do you wonder that his word should also give food for that life?” Having this in mind, ask yourself this question: Is feeding on that which gives life a priority in my life, or an afterthought? If you are going through trials, know this beloved –you can find rest in the finished work of Christ on the Cross, and the closest place this side of Glory for this to occur is in the breathed Word of God.
