Psalm 66: 10
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Life is rarely smooth sailing. As a matter of fact, the longer we live, the more we realize that the seas we sail daily are often treacherous and deadly. Hard knocks can be discouraging, especially when they seem to pummel us and our loved ones with fierce and rapid blows like physical and mental illness, job loss, and betrayal.
Today’s verse describe what it’s like to encounter adversity. But, the verse also tell us plainly that God allows us to experience the very things that we dread. We are reminded of Matthew 4:1 & 2 which says:
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
Jesus was led into a point of hardship by the Holy Spirit. Not only was Jesus led to the proving ground, but He was led there after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. Jesus, being fully God and fully man, was hungry.
When You Think You Can Least Afford It, There It Is
Temptation of Jesus in desert. HOLE, WILLIAM: The Life of Jesus of Nazareth. Eighty Pictures. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The temptation of Jesus shows us that severe trials can come at a time of extreme need. Hunger is a God-given survival tool that tells us to seek nourishment. So, hunger (any kind of hunger), comes with a sense of urgency. Even in times of extreme urgency, we are to trust God and not let the pressure for a solution determine what we do.
Many Kinds of Hunger
There are many kinds of hunger in this world, such as spiritual hunger, intellectual hunger, status hunger, money hunger, and sexual hunger. These hungers are as old as civilization (remember Eve, who had a hunger for knowledge), but the choices we have about ways to satisfy our hungers are vastly expanded in comparison to the ancient world.
So Many Choices
The number of choices we have complicates the process of temptation. Even simple things like eating are actually quite complicated, and the consequences of wrong choices are severe. When physically hungry, we can choose healthy food or junk food. Years of unwise dietary choices can actually evolve into a generational curse, where parents with unhealthy eating habits teach those habits to their children. Many seek to satisfy spiritual hunger with academic, sexual, physical, or other activities, to the point of idol worship. Many even risk sickness and death trying to satisfy their longing for companionship with physical and virtual promiscuity, and drugs. Knowing what choice to make in times of temptation requires keen discernment that can only come from God.
The Right Way to Satisfy Hunger
Temptation is the point where we must choose what we will use to satisfy our hunger. The things we choose to satisfy our hungers determine whether we live a life of suffering or fulfillment. Like in grade school lessons, we have to learn to match the type of hunger with the right solution that will satisfy and heal – not lead to bondage and more hunger. Like a lock and key, hungers have right solutions that open the door to healthy satisfaction.
We can only satiate spiritual hunger by getting to know the character of our Savior. No one else, no other relationship can fill the God-space inside us. We get to know the character of Jesus by studying the word of God and being active in things of His Kingdom, such as worship services, communion, giving tithes and offerings and community service. Likewise, we should satisfy physical hunger healthily with balanced meals eaten and shared in peace.
Temptation Uses Weakness to Create Strength
Temptation isn’t suffering for suffering’s sake, it has a purpose that’s unique to who you are. The Lord leads us to the proving ground to purge us of our weaknesses. He “tries us as silver is tried.” The Greek word that is translated as “tried” means: to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literal or figurative) :– cast, (re-) fine (-er), founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try. (Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary, 2013). Our weaknesses are impurities that the enemy has embedded in our character. The Lord uses trials purge us of these flaws and fuse us to Himself.
Have you experienced adversity lately? Are you now stronger? If not, get a piece of paper, and write the name of the hunger experienced during the trial. Then write down what you used to fulfill the hunger. Whatever is not of God does not belong in your solutions basket. Pray to God and ask Him to forgive your error and to make the true nature of the problem plain. Pray for God to strengthen and guide you to the right solution(s) that lead to purity and soundness of body, mind and spirit.
May these words educate and comfort you today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
Your friend in Christ,
Verneda
Twitter handle: @vlights
© 2012 Verneda Lights. All Rights Reserved.
