He walks to and fro, and up and down

“It behooves the godly mind to climb still higher, to the height to which Christ calls his disciples: that each must bear his own cross. For whomever the Lord has adopted and deemed worthy of his fellowship ought to prepare themselves for a hard, toilsome, and unquiet life, crammed with very many and various kinds of evil.” John Calvin (1509-1564)

I frequently remind myself of God's sovereign will. This quote from Calvin reminds me that we must continually focus on our growth in Christ. It is not about works; it is about becoming more like Him, about our sanctification. In order to become more like Christ, we must continually be changed. This change comes after our hearts have been changed. It is a cleansing of self-reliance, selfishness, and ego. It is about becoming a child again only this time to our heavenly Father.

When I am feeling tested, I always run to Job. You see, Job was called out by God because he was righteous, not because Job was rebellious. Job may have been righteous, but there was still room for growth. In his despair, Job clung tighter and tighter to God. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21 ESV). Job did everything right but was still placed by the sovereign will of God in a trial. He did question God and God did put Job in his place, reminding Job that God existed before everything and laid the straight foundations of creation.

Even Job’s wife told Job to curse God and die. Still, Job replied in faith, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this, Job did not sin with his lips.” (Job 2:10). God is righteous and cannot create evil, but God can allow us to be tested and use that testing to purify us. Modern faith healers and prosperity preachers would make you believe this is an “immoral doctrine," but we know it to be true, and the truth is found in Hebrews 12:5-6, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Satan walks to and fro, up and down, on the earth, looking to test and steal God's saints. God had faith in Job and faith in Peter when Satan asked to sift Peter like wheat. Remember, in a trial, it is only a trial of faith. It may involve the body or mind, but it all returns to faith. Remain strong in faith, and God's prayers for you will be answered.

The Christian life will be hard, but thankfully, it is short. My grandma used to say the older you get, the shorter the days are. She was right. So, as we navigate the trials of life, remember that the more the steel is worked, formed, and sharpened, the greater the weapon of the Lord. You are a weapon in the arsenal of God. Go forth and proclaim Christ’s victory over sin and death. Exclaim Christ’s opening the door to heaven for all who put their faith in Him. If you are in a trial right now, know that God can rescue you, and he will rescue you, and even if He does not, His sovereign plan for you will be done. Remind yourself of the fiery furnace when Daniel said, “If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not,” (Daniel 3:17-18 ESV), But if not, whether they were saved or not Daniel knew God’s will would be done.

Faith in Christ, the repentance of sins, and a fruitful life all lead to the narrow gate and eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Savior. It is by Christ’s blood we are cleansed of sin, made righteous before God, and adopted as sons and daughters, heirs with Christ.

May the peace and grace of Jesus Christ be with you!