A Place of Abundance

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2065,66,67,69,70&version=NIV

"For you, O God, tested us; you refined us live silver." - Psalm 66:10

I have a friend right now that if being refined – she recently was in a car wreck where her car was totaled and she had to buy a new one which came with the new car payments. This week she lost her job. She’s frightened, she’s confused, and she wonders if she made God to big in her life. Perhaps you’ve felt that way before. If we are going to be honest (an ingredient that is essential for authentic Christian community), I think we all can admit that we have. Being refined is tough. Being refined is testing. Being refined is beautiful.

The first thing we need to know is that we aren’t alone. God isn’t picking on us – rather he is allowing in our lives the same thing he allowed in the life of every person in scripture who served him – a testing, a trial, a refinement. In fact, I dare you to find a person of deep faith who has not been through one, if not many, refining experiences.

I shared these words with my friend for her specific situation, but I’ll share them with you because they apply to you also – substitute your own trials:

“Before time began God knew the day you would have a car wreck, he knew that you would have a new car with payments, and he knew that you would lose your job shortly after. Put all of that under the umbrella of his covenant promise to provide for you. I promise you that he will - you will have all you need. He may provide one day at a time, you likely won't see his larger plan until he puts it into place - but he will guide you one day and one step at a time until he takes you to the land he has for you. I was praying about you this morning and was reminded of Abraham - God told him to leave his land and go to a place he would show him. He had no idea where that place was, and didn't know until the day he arrived there. God knows what your job will be - he is working as we speak to put things in place. He will lead you to apply for the right opportunities and will open and close doors to get you to that place.” He will take you to your own place of abundance.
Also, I shared that while I was praying for her the scripture that says, "Did I not tell you that is you believe you will see the Glory of God" (John 11:40) came to my head. That phrase is said by Jesus to Mary and Martha as they met him when their brother had just died. They were in desperate circumstances, and because God allowed those desperate circumstances, they got to see a HUGE picture of the glory of God as he raised their brother from the dead. Had he never died, they would not have seen that display of God's glory. The story wasn’t over when Lazarus died, rather it began when Jesus arrived. Jesus has arrived in your lives friends – take courage – the story isn’t over.

You, sweet friend, will get to watch God work supernaturally in your circumstances in a way that allows you to see his immense glory and in a way that will increase your faith. This journey isn't about your specific circumstances - it's about your faith and God's glory.


That’s the second thing we need to know - that testing and trial means that God is getting ready to do a radical work in your faith and often you are going to see God’s glory in your life. In other words, there’s a mountain top waiting for you on the other end of your valley. Why do I say that? Because God’s word says that – the proof is found in 66:11-12:

“You brought us into prison and laid burden’s on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you bought us to a place of abundance.”

That’s a promise from a God of unfailing promises. Let me share from a crosswalk devotional I read today: “A promise is only as good as the one making it. If a person is reliable by nature, you know that their promises are reliable. We know that God's character is perfect. Joshua said, "Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!" Joshua 23:14. Peter spoke about the promises of God. He called them "exceedingly great and precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4). God's promises are trustworthy because God Himself is trustworthy.

No doubt, God will allow trials in our lives. He will allow the fires, He will allow the floods. He will bring us to a place of abundance. I tell my clients often that they are on a journey and while it is tough right now, what is on the other side is beautiful. It’s refined silver. It’s a child of God that reflects his glory.

So take heart, friends, follow the example and faith of the Psalmist, and watch God take you to a place of abundance.

"But God has surely listened and hear my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” – Psalm 66:19-20