Your Circumstances Have A Divine Purpose
Judges 3:1-4, "Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; Only that the generations of the children of Israel might of know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof; Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath. And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses."
Many times people live life in a quandary because they can't reconcile their circumstances with their own desires. We are both tested and taught through the circumstances God allows into our lives. It is therefore absolutely true that your circumstances have a purpose, and again, that purpose is to prove and to teach. The Hebrew word "Nacah" is translated to prove, this speaks of testing to see of what something is made. Is the composition of an item what it should be or not? A person might test to see if something is genuine; i.e. is it gold, is it a diamond, is it aluminum. God will prove us to see what we are made of. Are you passing HIS test? Are you seeking to live biblicaly and to be strengthened in faith even though your circumstances are currently difficult and hard to understand? You are not proved when things are easy, you are proved when things are difficult! You are proved when things stretch you. If we are genuine we shouldn't fear God's proving ground. Psalm 26:1-3, "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth." Those words do not sound like the words of a man who fears God's proving. He knows full well of God’s lovingkindness, and that as a man he has walked in God's truth. The only time you should fear your circumstances is when you know you are living in disobedience to the Lord, and when that is the case you need to repent of your disobedience and begin living life under the sweet authority of God.
Another purpose God has for your circumstances is to teach you. If He is going to prove us, and He does, He is also going to teach us. Judges 3:2 states, "Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof." You need to grow in your experience with God. He hasn't called us to be stagnant, but He has called us to grow. Maybe God has something He wants you to do in His church, but before you can do the thing He desires you have to learn some things. God is the best teacher! He will equip you to fulfill His purposes for your life. A generation in Israel had not experienced war so God was going to teach them war. What is it that you need to learn? Is it patience, is it discipline, is it living a life of holiness, is it soul winning, is it edification, is it withdrawing from the world? You get the picture, think of that which you need to learn in life, and I'm sure you will find that your circumstances match the need you have for learning.
God is Omnipotent, He is Omniscient, He is Omnipresent, He is Immutable, and He is Eternal. He knows how to prove and instruct everyone of us. Please allow God to work in your circumstances.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. How do you view your circumstances? Do you have the right attitude concerning your circumstances?
2. What two things does God intend to accomplish through your circumstances?
3. Meditate upon Psalm 26:1-3, write down what those verses mean to you.
4. When is the only time you should fear your circumstances? What steps should you take when your circumstances cause fear?
5. Do you see God testing and/or instructing you in your current circumstances? How so?