Even so , the devil tempted the Son of Man to no avail , proving that what was in His heart is complete reliance on the word of God as the true manna by which a man may live . Without all these things , there would be no freedom , no faith , and no love . For there is no faith without testing . There is no freedom without choosing between good and evil , between life and death . There is no love without dying to oneself . Next time you ask why , Lord ? Remember these things .
“ Rejoice in this greatly , even though now for a little while , if necessary , you have been distressed by various trials . These trials are so that the true metal of your faith ( far more valuable than gold , which perishes though refined by fire ) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Messiah Yeshua .” 1 Peter 1:6-7 . When the fire of our various trials is hot , can we remember these things ? Lord , help us , and purify us !
During the Days of Awe this last year , between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur , the Ruach kept speaking to me about the theme of the beauty He creates from the trials of suffering , offered as sacrifice .
After Tashlich on the bridge near the Rose Garden , several of us went over to the site , prayed for breakthrough to the Master of Breakthroughs and blew several shofars — away from the building . Lord , hear the shout of the shofars and the cry of Your people !
That evening I walked to the bridge , looked down and saw light from a streetlight illuminating rapids in the creek flowing downstream . The Ruach helped me to be still and take in the beauty . Then the Ruach reminded me that beneath the rapids were rocks . They block and stir the water — so that I notice it ' s unceasing flowing . So , the obstacles in my way cause me to cry out to God , and He points out that His Spirit is still moving . So I perceive Him because of the obstacles as well as the light of His truth . And God the Father also perceives the beauty of His Spirit stirring and rushing unceasingly over the obstacles . He delights in the beauty ,
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