Trials and Maturity

In heeding the call to worship this day many of you have gathered here in the midst of great difficulties and trials. Whether difficult pregnancies, long hours at work, the prospect of moving, the need to find employment, or financial difficulties; your lives are marked by various sorts of trials that are testing your faith in God. And in the midst of such difficulties you have gathered here, in the communion of the saints, to renew, and have your covenant renewed, with the Triune God, as we draw near to His throne of grace. And I exhort to enter into this service of covenant renewal with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength. For here in the presence of God you can obtain mercy and find grace to help in your time of need. This mercy and grace, however, typically do not remove the difficulties that we experience, but rather transform us so that we may bear up under the weight of our trials in a way that pleases God. The Lord intends to mature you through these trials as the he works patience in you. Thus James says that you are to count it all joy when you experience various trials. Whether or not you can count such trials a joy, however, will depend upon your faith in God. For James says that the one who doubts should not expect to receive anything from God. I encourage you to enter his presence by faith, believing that he is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Humble yourself before him and he will lift you up. Cry out to him in your distress and he will hear you. Hearken unto his voice and he will instruct you. Come unto his table and he will feed and strengthen you by his grace. And he does all this to send you back out into all the trials and difficulties of life to manifest the righteousness, peace, and joy of his kingdom in the earth. Blessed be the name of the Lord!