Wednesday, May 17, 2006
The life of faith by Thomas Manton
Our faith must be tried in these things as well as in others. Look, asin all other promises, God tries our faith before he gives us the blessing. How shall we know that we believe, and depend upon God for outward supplies, unless we be reduced to some straits, and have but from mouth to mouth, and be cut short in our temporal conveniences?There are times of trial in which God will try all his children: "The Lord tries the righteous"(Psalm 11:5). Thus he tried them (Hebrews 11:36-37). GOd tried them whether they would live by faith upon him when they were 'destitute, afflicted and tormented, when they were stoned, and sewn usunder, slain with the sword, and wandered about in sheep-skins, and goat skins.' And thus he tried them Israel in the wilderness, before he had them into a land flowing with milk and honey: 'And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments or no' (Deuteronomy 8:2). God will try us whether we serve him for love or wages; whether we live merely for the creature or the promises, and can depend upon his all-sufficiency. p 101
God will bless us with the things we need. He wants us to love Him for who He is and not for what he gives us. Today a lot of people want the things that God gives us. They put more trust in them than do in loving Him.
God will bless us with the things we need. He wants us to love Him for who He is and not for what he gives us. Today a lot of people want the things that God gives us. They put more trust in them than do in loving Him.
