Better wood? We have an old tree standing at the very crest of our property. The old maple, standing about 60 feet high, remains stalwart although slightly stunted compared to its nearest neighbors in the hollows below. Trees in the hollow don’t have to deal with the wind and cold of the crest. Yet, that old tree on the crest endures, a proper product of its severe environment. Still standing after 100 years through wind and cold, it must be a very special tree.
Think about it. God chastens us to toughen us. The winds of life blow on a Christian every day. We’re battered by temptation, sorrow, hardship and despair. We endure.
God’s Word tells us: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?” (Hebrews 12: 7-13).
Trees exposed to the elements grow at a slower, more even rate than trees in less harsher climes. The weather tempers it. Likewise, because God has given us faith to withstand His chastening, we end up producing a better “wood” with which He will do better things. God knows that without his discipline, we wouldn’t make it. Thank God for His chastening.
. “I pray today in Jesus name that we never lose hope or faith when You, O Lord, chasten us to make us better, more seasoned as Christians and able to do your work more ably. Amen!”
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34) www.thispassingday.com
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