Sunday, March 3, 2013

"Why Bad Times Sometimes Get Worse"

Gen. 40:4)"…and they continued a season in ward." God allows trials in our life to continue for seasons of time. In the story of (Gen. 40), Joseph was allowed to suffer "inwardly" for a season even though he was an innocent man. We are not sure just how long Joseph was in prison, but it could have been for as long as 11years. Like Joseph, the preparation of a godly man always takes time, so God uses seasons to test us. Why? 1) To Strengthen Our Abilities. Spiritual abilities are acquired only through time and trial. Like exercise, if we endure the pain of it, we will find that in time we will become stronger and capable of more. Like a hardened steel tool, hard steel only gets harder by the application of much heat and pressure. Softer tools are made with less, and God like a master craftsman has need for both in His tool box. 2) To Build Trust. Trust can only be matured through experience, and experience proves God. Joseph learned trust as he saw God bless him even though things got worse. God does not work on our schedule, but He does work in seasons of time. When you can't see God, trust in His Word, He will keep it!