9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (NIV)
Sometimes difficulties come to a believer. We are made to remember that things, possessions, do not last. When we are dead, they are gone, like the beauty of a flower, which is gone once it is dead. When a person who relies on his possessions is tested, what will happen? Will he put his faith in God?
Someone, maybe Ernie Pyle, once said: "There are no atheists in foxholes." In hard times, when we are in danger of losing everything we have in this life--our possessions, our loved ones, and even our own lives--many of us reach out to God. And we find that he is the one who has been reaching out to us, all along. When hard times come which strengthen our faith, we can be absolutely content with our position, whether rich or poor, because God has used our circumstance to bring us closer to him. The person who trusts in God when troubles come is actually built up by the test, like a muscle which becomes stronger when it is worked and tested. We might pray that God does not "work us out" too much by testing us, but that when he does, we do pray that he will build up our faith and make us faithful servants who do his will, and not our own.
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