The Sheer Gift

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"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides." (James 1:2, The Message).

By now you've discovered that God doesn't do things our way. "My ways are not your ways," He tells us, "and My thoughts are not your thoughts." Often you will find that things in the Kingdom are the opposite to things in this world.

For example, he that puts himself first will be last; he that would be great, must becomes the servant. And so on and so on.

In this world of ours, trouble is TROUBLE. But not so in the Kingdom. There, trouble is a GIFT. A sheer gift. Pure and unmixed, complete and all inclusive -- like sheer joy. So the Bible tells us to count it all joy when we are hammered by trouble!

Why? Because God is up to something so extraordinarily wonderful that once we see what it is we will be beside ourselves with unspeakable delight!

Here's what James goes on to tell us -- "You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way" (James 1:3-4, The Message).

So while everybody around you may be wringing their hands in dismay, and moaning over losing this or that -- lift your vision higher and see the Lord's hand at work in your affairs; making you everything you ever dreamed of becoming -- and more!

Now that's a sheer gift!
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"I Don't Look Like What I've Been Through!"

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"Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn't even smell of smoke!" (Daniel 3:27, New Living Translation).

The story of the three Hebrew children -- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego -- being thrown into the burning fiery furnace is legendary. They refused to bow down and worship the golden statue erected by King Nebuchadnezzar and as a result were bound in ropes and tossed into the fire.

But something happened that shocked the pagan world. The king jumped to his feet in astonishment and asked his soldiers -- "Did we not throw three men bound into the fire?"

"Yes, O King," they answered, in fear of their lives.

"Then how is it that I see FOUR men -- free, and walking about in the flames; feeling no harm! And the fourth man looks like the Son of God!!"

When the world binds you up and throws you into the furnace for refusing to worship its image of gold, the only thing the fire will burn away are the stocks and bonds which the world has placed upon you. And Jesus Himself will walk through the fire with you!

Nebuchadnezzar ordered the men to be brought forth from the fire. Upon examination it was found that "not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn't even smell of smoke!"

God will bring you through all kinds of fiery trials with no harm whatsoever done to you. You will come forth without even the smell of smoke! Thus, you can say to the dumbfounded kings of this world, "I don't look like what I've been through!"
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"O Nobody Knows the Trouble I Seen"

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"Keep you guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith." (1 Peter 5:9, The Message).

There are few things the devil likes more than to get you believing that you're the only one going through a tough time. He wants you to feel alone, forsaken, and forgotten. If he can pull it off -- you will drop your guard, lower your shied of faith and be wide open for his more assiduous assaults. Don't let him win -- keep a firm grip on your faith.

Peter goes on to say, "The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ -- eternal and glorious plans they are! -- will have you put together and on your feet for good." (1 Peter 5:10).

So the next time you're feeling all alone, and deep down inside you hear the rumblings of that old song -- "O nobody knows the trouble I seen" -- stop right there. EVERYBODY knows!

We are all going through it with you. Stop your whining; it's embarrassing.

Paul and Silas were in a dungeon chained to the wall and surrounded by rats. They started singing praise to God and the devil started shaking in his boots. He shook so hard that an earthquake happened, which broke the chains and opened up the prison doors -- setting Paul and Silas free.

Instead of moaning about your troubles, start singing praise to God -- you just might be the one that causes a prison break for the rest of us!
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