Pam Padgett ... teacher
Psalm 4:1 Hear me when I call, O
God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress;
have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
As I read about God enlarging this man when he was in distress, I
thought of how we tend to turn strongly to God when we are facing
something distressing, depending on Him to help us. Our faith and trust
in God is deepened and "enlarged" as God works in our lives to help us in the
situation. We often marvel in the way and power of God we witness as
HE helps us, and our gratitude and love toward God increases. And as we consider how God has helped us in the past, our faith in God is strengthened as we face subsequent trials.
Paul spoke of glorying in tribulations knowing that patience develops in
us as we turn to God and wait for His help. The result
of this patience is the experience of seeing God's help for us according to His will, which
gives us hope that God is able to help us in whatever we face ...
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:2 By whom also we have access by faith
into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:knowing that
tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and
experience, hope:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God
is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
James also spoke about this, saying that we should count it
all joy that the trying of our faith through various temptations works
patience ....
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh
patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be
perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Going through trials and temptations is not pleasant, but we can count it all joy because God is working in our lives, helping us, and perfecting us in the faith.