July 22nd, 21

There are trials ahead. But their strength for the trial and joy beyond that. 1 Peter 1:6  says, so be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead. Even though you must endure many trials for a little while.

trials are certain and sometimes, the little while, doesn't seem that little. We all go through trials, no one is exempt. We all face hard times, really hard times. We've all gone through a pandemic for crying out loud. And yet, our hope lies in the Promise of Hope, and even joy beyond that. Unfortunately, for many of us, the trials of this life can lead to despair, and defeat, the walls of our souls begin to crumble under the weight Hezekiah was tempted to crumble in fear, and defeat. He could see the circumstances and the outcomes of all those other kingdoms. They had crumbled, when facing the overwhelming tear of the Assyrian king and his armies, but instead of crumbling Hezekiah turned to God, he didn't go to Egypt for help. He didn't try to manipulate his way out by surrendering or offering some tribute. He didn't give into despair. No, instead, he trusted God. And God gave him the victory. But that victory took some time. Isaiah told him that it would take three years, but to hold on, because there would be joy ahead. He let him know that the first two year would be hard, very lean, the people would eat only what grows up by itself. But the second year, it would be a little easier. They would eat what sprang up from the first growth. But in the third year, they would see a breakthrough. In that third year, they would plant crops and harvest them, they would tend to vineyards and eat their fruit. And those who escaped the ravages of the siege, who endured the hard times, and had gone through the trials would put roots down in their own soil, they would grow and flourish. There it is. We're all going to go through hard times. But there's strength available in the trials. And beyond that there's joy. It may take some time. It may take a season or several seasons. But if we lay out our hearts before God and trust Him, we can find the strength we need. If we believe him, that these trials are for season, then we can find joy. Our roots will go down into the soil of his faithfulness. And we will flourish. And that's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family. For my wife, my daughter's my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so

You are loved!