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God is Preparing You

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Samuel Smith
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God is Preparing You

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11; KJV). When God asked Abraham to do things for Him, he never complained. Even when he was asked to offer his Son Isaac, he simply obeyed. He went through a lot of discouragements and disappointments until the promise was fulfilled.

"God permits trials to assail His people, that by their constancy and obedience they themselves may be spiritually enriched, and that their example may be a source of strength to others. The very trials that task our faith most severely and make it seem that God has forsaken us, are to lead us closer to Christ, that we may lay all our burdens at His feet and experience the peace which He will give us in exchange" (Patriarchs and Prophets 129.2).

"God has always tried His people in the furnace of affliction. It is in the heat of the furnace that the dross is separated from the true gold of the Christian character. Jesus watches the test; He knows what is needed to purify the precious metal, that it may reflect the radiance of His love. It is by close, testing trials that God disciplines His servants. He sees that some have powers which may be used in the advancement of His work, and He puts these persons upon trial; in His providence He brings them into positions that test their character and reveal defects and weaknesses that have been hidden from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these defects and to fit themselves for His service. He shows them their own weakness, and teaches them to lean upon Him; for He is their only help and safeguard. Thus His object is attained. They are educated, trained, and disciplined, prepared to fulfill the grand purpose for which their powers were given them. When God calls them to action, they are ready, and heavenly angels can unite with them in the work to be accomplished on the earth" (Patriarchs and Prophets 129.3).

No work is too heavy; no burden is too great when God is in control. If God calls us to do His work, all we need to do is to obey, for He will teach and equip us for the work. Whatever trials we may encounter along the way, we must endure it; for God is preparing a better future for those who endure until the end.

Kathleen Pedrosa - Ameyaw