Trials and Suffering: The Standard of God's Word
The Measurement of God
When we begin reading the book of Numbers, Deuteronomy, Ezekiel, Revelation we constantly see the action of measuring rod measuring the temple of God. There is process of measurements that goes on to measure the standard and the stature of our Godliness in the Spirit just like measuring the height of a temple. In order for God to release the temple to its functionality, it needs to measure up to His standard. Yearly we will go through tests and trials with the same type of process. God releases His North wind on us, hardship and difficulties encloses. He wants to see how much of God's truth we believe, how much of our inner am actually lives by faith in the Son of God, and how much of our righteousness, perseverance can stand. It is no there to destroy, but a test is there to see what score we will get. Out of that measurement He will reward us accordingly, promote us, and upgrade us.
1 Peter 4:12
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
The measurement of God is the fire of God, when fire comes it will consume all that can burn. All that can be consumed. This is the standard of heaven -- Fire. Everything must be tested by fire before God, so it might stand approved. Baptism of fire is the prophetic statement that we will walk in glory and power, while go through a life of immersing in the fire of suffering or trials. See this is the cup Jesus offering to us, the cup of suffering also the cup of joy. If we can take it, we will receive His glory.
This thing is real. One day even the heavens and earth will be tested with fire, the element of this world will all be consumed with fire. Whatever started with the Spirit, will manifest in the natural as well. Because God's dwelling place require the testing of fire. It must be pure and align to His absolute standard.
I realize one thing that God is after in all the trials testings in life is the standard of God's word in the hearts of men. You see Joseph was tested by the word of the Lord. God wants to see if he will believe his word or situations. There is a standard of God's word that is plant within our hearts when we meditate and pray the word of God. God moved our hearts and asked us to believe the word and to endeavor in this particular truth. After a glorious season of meditation in the presence of God, we love that truth, we share that truth, we boast how awesome the truth is, then all of a sudden the testing and trials come in our way. God comes knocking no the door bringing his measuring stick to see if our human temple measure up to his divine standard. Then more trials and more testings, until this truth becomes a realty in our lives.
When we begin reading the book of Numbers, Deuteronomy, Ezekiel, Revelation we constantly see the action of measuring rod measuring the temple of God. There is process of measurements that goes on to measure the standard and the stature of our Godliness in the Spirit just like measuring the height of a temple. In order for God to release the temple to its functionality, it needs to measure up to His standard. Yearly we will go through tests and trials with the same type of process. God releases His North wind on us, hardship and difficulties encloses. He wants to see how much of God's truth we believe, how much of our inner am actually lives by faith in the Son of God, and how much of our righteousness, perseverance can stand. It is no there to destroy, but a test is there to see what score we will get. Out of that measurement He will reward us accordingly, promote us, and upgrade us.
1 Peter 4:12
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
The measurement of God is the fire of God, when fire comes it will consume all that can burn. All that can be consumed. This is the standard of heaven -- Fire. Everything must be tested by fire before God, so it might stand approved. Baptism of fire is the prophetic statement that we will walk in glory and power, while go through a life of immersing in the fire of suffering or trials. See this is the cup Jesus offering to us, the cup of suffering also the cup of joy. If we can take it, we will receive His glory.
This thing is real. One day even the heavens and earth will be tested with fire, the element of this world will all be consumed with fire. Whatever started with the Spirit, will manifest in the natural as well. Because God's dwelling place require the testing of fire. It must be pure and align to His absolute standard.
Peter 3:1-13
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
(Psalm 105:17b-19)
Joseph—who was sold as a slave.
18
They hurt his feet with fetters,
He was laid in irons.
19
Until the time that his word came to pass,
The word of the Lord tested him.
I realize one thing that God is after in all the trials testings in life is the standard of God's word in the hearts of men. You see Joseph was tested by the word of the Lord. God wants to see if he will believe his word or situations. There is a standard of God's word that is plant within our hearts when we meditate and pray the word of God. God moved our hearts and asked us to believe the word and to endeavor in this particular truth. After a glorious season of meditation in the presence of God, we love that truth, we share that truth, we boast how awesome the truth is, then all of a sudden the testing and trials come in our way. God comes knocking no the door bringing his measuring stick to see if our human temple measure up to his divine standard. Then more trials and more testings, until this truth becomes a realty in our lives.
1 Peter 4:12-19
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
Look at Peter's word here. In the context of suffering and trials, Peter ends by saying judgement shall begin in God's hearts first. What is the judgement we're talking about here? I thought Jesus took all the judgement away. But no! This is not the judgement we're talking about here. We are talking about the judgment as a period of evaluation for God's award ceremony. Yes, this may include punishment as well, if we do wrong, of course the father will discipline us to make us right. But Father is really looking to see if he can find the standard of truth within our hearts. Only under pressure what's inside can come out. If bitterness, fear, insecurity is in the heart, then trials will squeeze them out to the surface. But if there are truth, goodness, kindness, forgiveness, then in trial it will be manifested. Father is looking for areas in our lives to approve of and therefore grant us greater blessing and authority in the Spirit until we graduate to heaven.
Consider every trials and testing God's disciplining program. His program of training. The school of the spirit that we're in. We will be ultimately trained in righteousness. It is not an easy subject like in school physics sometimes can get real hard. Same with the lesson of life, but we must determine to pass the standard of the test because every human has to go through the school of the spirit to graduate on. The longer we want to stay in the same level, we are not honoring our Father. If we study and endure so much just to get a PHD how much more with the School of the Spirit. As we go on, the class will be more and more challenges. There are their for a purpose. So what the author of Hebrews tell us here.
Hebrews 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,And scourges every son whom He receives.”[a]
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,And scourges every son whom He receives.”[a]
7 If[b] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Ultimately God is seeing if we've learned his truth within our hearts. If the word goes deep enough in our hearts. If the standard of His word has installed within us firmly. Jesus taught on the sermon on the mount, if we keep his commandments then we'll establish ourselves on a firm solid foundation, when the storm comes we will not be shaken. This is the process of testing. He wants to see who listens and who actually love Him verses who are foolish? The ones who love him will keep his commandments and do the word. By then we can tell the wise and foolish. This is the process God takes his children into.
Come on now! What lesson is God teaching you right now? What truth are we being tested now. Come on now let's get into the word like never before. Give ourselves deeper to the meditation and the obedience to the word of God. When trials come, let's face it dead on with the perspective of heaven. Let's fight the good fight of faith. His word will proof to be true, let's establish upon this unshakable rock, so we can enter into that glorious city the New Jerusalem. Only those who do the will of God will endure forever.
Matt 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
1 Peter 1:24 because
“All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man[f] as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And all the glory of man[f] as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
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