Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress (Psalm 4:1 KJV)
Just about every emotional challenge we experience today was faced by the psalmist during his lifetime. If we will observe what David did through his struggles, and receive from God the grace to respond as David responded, we can often overcome our challenges. David said he was being enlarged when he was in distress. What does that mean? It simply means David was growing in God while his faith was being stretched through his trials.
Just as our bodies need exercised to be strengthened, the same is true in our spiritual life. God is committed to grow us spiritually. If we have no stress (trials) we will experience spiritual atrophy. God will not only allow trials, but direct our lives through those trials, this will grow us in our spiritual walk.
Hebrews 6:11-12 says, And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Many of us trust God for the good things that comfort and sustain us. But do we have persevering faith through our trials, this makes the difference between spiritual growth or atrophy? Some may say I don't see the good in being tried, but all through God's Word, Israel would go astray when things were going well. God then would have to allow trials to come for them to see the need for their faith in Him.
The same holds true with most today. When things are going well, many tend to get slack in their walk with God. They begin leaving off daily Bible study and don't commune with God for direction and begin turning from Him. Unfortunately when this happens God will allow trials to bring His children back to Himself.
Next time trials come, remember our loving God is up to something. He is being faithful to grow us spiritually and to keep us from falling. What a wise and wonderful God we serve.
Just about every emotional challenge we experience today was faced by the psalmist during his lifetime. If we will observe what David did through his struggles, and receive from God the grace to respond as David responded, we can often overcome our challenges. David said he was being enlarged when he was in distress. What does that mean? It simply means David was growing in God while his faith was being stretched through his trials.
Just as our bodies need exercised to be strengthened, the same is true in our spiritual life. God is committed to grow us spiritually. If we have no stress (trials) we will experience spiritual atrophy. God will not only allow trials, but direct our lives through those trials, this will grow us in our spiritual walk.
Hebrews 6:11-12 says, And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Many of us trust God for the good things that comfort and sustain us. But do we have persevering faith through our trials, this makes the difference between spiritual growth or atrophy? Some may say I don't see the good in being tried, but all through God's Word, Israel would go astray when things were going well. God then would have to allow trials to come for them to see the need for their faith in Him.
The same holds true with most today. When things are going well, many tend to get slack in their walk with God. They begin leaving off daily Bible study and don't commune with God for direction and begin turning from Him. Unfortunately when this happens God will allow trials to bring His children back to Himself.
Next time trials come, remember our loving God is up to something. He is being faithful to grow us spiritually and to keep us from falling. What a wise and wonderful God we serve.
