Hard Lessons

God has been teaching me lessons. Hard lessons. Lessons about people. Lessons I’d rather not learn.

He’s been teaching me that it is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psalm 118:8) I’m finding out how very true that is. Friends are great, but friends can’t take His place. He’s teaching me that when others hurt me and do what I least expect, He’s always there, always ready to offer the comfort of His embrace. He’s teaching me that people will always fail me, but He never will. When people seem to be something I think they are and then turn out to be somebody quite different, He reminds me that He’s always the same. (Hebrews 13:8) He will never disappoint me.

I must be thick, because the Lord has been trying to tell me this for about a week now. It just began sinking in today…just now. Funny how exactly when I think I’ve got all my ducks in a row, I find that one is missing or seriously damaged. Then I have to start all over again, because I’ve miserably failed. The Lord is teaching me how entirely human I am, and how desperately I need HIM!

I long for the day, in that sweet land called Heaven, when I will struggle no more with this flesh. It’s a sweet thought to know that one day I will be perfect. God is slowly forming me into the beautiful person He wishes me to be. Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes it’s painful as He cuts the rough edges away. But, like a diamond, the more He cuts the more beautiful I become. The more I sparkle and shine in the light of His glory. Lord, just keep on doing Your work in my heart and life.

"Rejoice in the Lord"

God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

O rejoice in the Lord. He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take.
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

O rejoice in the Lord. He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take.
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

By Ron Hamilton