Thoughts for another day


October 26, 2010

Today's verse: Judges 3:4. They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the LORD'S commands, (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

As I live, this verse is magnified in my life like never before. God's people are often put to the test to see if they're faithful to Him or they'll move from Him. The connection between sin and failure is so much that it is really amazing. Were I to preach or teach this to people, it's scarcely possible they'd believe. But it is so real, it's enough to scare us into submission to Him.

If this sounds a little implausible to your ears, then look at my experience. You're probably aware I've started a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I started it more than a year ago and my mandate is to take the pilgrims only to Israel and take them because they really want to worship God in His land rather than go because some famous person or such like is going with the group. These are honest intentions before the Lord and note-worthy too. But that's the problem; for I quickly discovered that my competition did both and they had droves of people flocking to them! It is difficult for me to stick to my mandate and many friends and well wishers counseled me to accept the law of the business, saying, what's the harm anyway? To me, taking to places other than Israel means dilution of the Pilgrimage and taking along a famous person means people go first because of that person and second because the Holy Land beckons.

Because of this stand my testing began. I had no business whatsoever for a whole year except a couple of people I sent thru somebody else. But I had expenses and honestly I wondered many times, what I am doing in this business. Many told me it's not for me, but I know it is as there are people out there with genuine intentions and they will go with me. But where are they?

Now finally, I managed a small group and to get it going, I've increased my prayer time and am on a path of holiness. But believe me, the testing is terrible. Each day something happens which depresses me and then somehow by God's Grace I come through. Only I know my experience and I also know I must bear it just as Joseph bore his trials before becoming the second most powerful man in Egypt. And I'm reminded of our verse today; how true it is. Children of God are tested continuously by Him and those who come forth as true are rewarded immensely. Believe this.