Saturday, July 2, 2005

Strengthened By God


The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him, But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the might God of Jacob. Genesis 49:23, 24

Jacob acknowledged the pain of Joseph’s past. The feelings of victimization could dominate his life but instead we read of strength. Muscles are built through resistance training. Our character, faith, and resolve are strengthened through trials in our life. Just as God strengthened Joseph, He is able to strengthen us.

May I look at each difficulty and see what strength will be developed in me as a result of it. If I will acknowledge pain, hardship, and loss, and then hand it to God, He will allow His purpose to be developed and realized in me. He can use anything in my life as His sculpting tool. I can trust His heart AND His hands.

Father, use all of my pain to produce gold and all of my loss to produce gain. You are the ultimate designer. Amen.