Wherever souls are being tried and ripened, in whatever commonplace and homely way, there God is hewing out the pillars of His Temple.” -Phillips Brooks-
Trials and testings are just as much part of our human experience as is our desire and prayers to live and enjoy the very best that this life has for us. Even for those who have been walking with our Lord for many years. assigned trials and testings essentially humble us to the core each time we are called to endure them. Such testings/trials somehow in the Hands of our Creator, we are blessed while we learn just how to persevere. For afterwards, each of us thus, after passing the test, will receive a crown in the Life which our Creator has promise! [James 1:12].Not only a crown, but we become His pillars of His Temple.
On behalf of many of my personal friends, colleagues, associates, family-members and myself, I was motivated to post this blog in an effort to support and encourage each of us to never give-up nor crumble to the pressures of becoming forged into that in-which our Creator wills for each of us. One author stated that “all sunshine and blue skies make for a Sahara Desert; there must be the Fall and Winter to make for a beautiful Spring. Sweet wine comes from crushed grapes.” -Robert D. Foster-
The following segment is my personal prayer that I gleaned from a series of Psalms selections. Please allow for my individualized harmonization of these verses as I attempt to make this section communicate to you those who are “fighting the Good Fight!”
Adonai [Lord], please grasp your shield and protective gear, and rise to my defense. Let me hear You say “I am your salvation.” [Psalms 35:1-3] I will be joyful in You Adonai, I will rejoice in His salvation. All my bones will say, “Who is like You? Who can rescue the weak from those stronger then they, the poor and needy from those who exploit them?” [Psalms 35:9-10]
Lord God, for those who do me wrong by repaying me, evil for good [for all of the external and internal distresses has caused my entire soul to be distraught]. Emphasis Mine
But I. when they were ill, wore sackcloth; I put myself out and fasted; I can pray that what I prayed for them might also happen to me. I behaved as I would for my friend or my brother; I bend down in sorrow as if mourning my mother. [Psalms 35:13-14]
How precious, God is Your Grace! People take refuge in the shadow of Your Wings, they feast on the rich bounty of Your House, and You have them drink from the stream of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of Life; in Your Light we see light. [Psalms 36:7-9]
Adonai directs a person’s steps, and He delights in His Way. He/she may stumble, but he/she won’t fall headlong, for Adonai holds him/her by the hand. [Psalms 37:23-24]
Adonai is the one who saves the righteous; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. Adonai helps them and rescues them, rescues them from the wicked and saves them; because they take refuge in Him. [Psalms 37:39-40]
Grace and Peace
Brother Alonzo E. Thornton
https://twitter.com/AlonzoEThornton/status/676542409174614020