Wait patiently for the work of the Lord to be completed in your life. He is always working, cultivating, and refining His people in every different stage of life. In many ways, we are like trees and precious metals. There is a process to grow or refine them to completion.
A fruit tree has many different seasons of growth. Each one has its own purpose and pressures. So also, the children of the Lord have to go through their seasons of growth. The Lord has planted you and will grow your roots deep, spread out your foliage to reach others for Him. He also has to prune those things in you that do not produce fruit. He does this so that you will be more like Him. Though it hurts, by His discipline, you will be able to better serve His good plan and purpose.
The righteous is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Psalm 1:3-4
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
God is also testing and refining His people like silver is refined, and gold is tested in the fires of affliction. He may be putting you through tribulation, tests, or fiery trials. Do not think it is punishment, but refinement. It is for your good. It may be so incredibly hard many times that no one could understand. You may not even understand why you must go through such a crushing. But it is required to make you into a usable tool for His righteous work He has planned for you.
Remember always that the Lord is in control. He is cleansing, purifying, and refining you when the pressing comes. He would not be doing it if it was not necessary. Necessary to make you shine in your character, integrity, and righteousness. It is for your good and benefit.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. Proverbs 17:3
“For my name’s sake I defer my anger; for the sake of my praise, I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.” Isaiah 48:9-11
Praise the Lord, for He is good. Praise Him and give Him thanks for every struggle. He could have cut you off. He could have left you for dead like so many others. But His incredible loving-kindness for His children is everlasting. It reaches far beyond the Heavens. It rises above all other things. It is paramount and supreme.
The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3
Ask the Lord each time you find yourself pressed down, every time you go through any struggle or challenging time, “What lesson are you teaching me today, Lord? I know you are in control, and you have a plan and purpose for all of this for my good. Please help me in every way and every day to give it all into your hands. Give me your strength to endure. I know You love me, and I trust Your perfect will.”
Whether you are growing and producing fruit for His kingdom or He is putting you through the wringer. He is in control. His timing is perfect, and if you keep your eyes on Jesus, He will accomplish great things with your life.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this, you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9
The Soul Sower 