Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4; NASB)
Inspector
Edge
Standing on the shore of suffering we are confronted with a
choice - to ride out the wave (be it ever so immense), or to fight against it as
it seeks to overcome and overpower our very being. To ride it out, to yield
to its sovereign allowance, will surely jar us to and fro leaving us a bit shaken,
weakened by its turbulent power. Yet in the
end when the wave subsides and returns to a calm, we will be strengthened as we
are left standing - His power perfected in our weakness. (See 2
Corinthians 12:9) Fighting it as it crashes all
around us will leave us struggling to stay upright as it seeks to devour by
throwing us down with its tremendous force. Beaten and bruised, will we be
able to get back up? So count it all joy - consider it joy - let it be an
opportunity for joy. Choking words when the thunderous waves are
slapping us in the face in rampant succession. Can we find
the strength to handle the next? Will we endure should the current
pull us back in again? How does one let endurance have its perfect result?
Looking out over the horizon as the waves charge intrusively onward, seize the opportunity
to make a choice before the wave breaks.
Will you be left standing?
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in
the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm
therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in
addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to
extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF
SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(Ephesians 6:13-17 NASB)
"The Edge" features
creative perspectives and reflections associated with the subject
matter presented on the Current Lesson page.
Bible
Backdrop
Inspector
Edge
Standing on the shore of suffering we are confronted with a
choice - to ride out the wave (be it ever so immense), or to fight against it as
it seeks to overcome and overpower our very being. To ride it out, to yield
to its sovereign allowance, will surely jar us to and fro leaving us a bit shaken,
weakened by its turbulent power. Yet in the
end when the wave subsides and returns to a calm, we will be strengthened as we
are left standing - His power perfected in our weakness. (See 2
Corinthians 12:9) Fighting it as it crashes all
around us will leave us struggling to stay upright as it seeks to devour by
throwing us down with its tremendous force. Beaten and bruised, will we be
able to get back up? So count it all joy - consider it joy - let it be an
opportunity for joy. Choking words when the thunderous waves are
slapping us in the face in rampant succession. Can we find
the strength to handle the next? Will we endure should the current
pull us back in again? How does one let endurance have its perfect result?
Looking out over the horizon as the waves charge intrusively onward, seize the opportunity
to make a choice before the wave breaks.
Will you be left standing?
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in
the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm
therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS
WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in
addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to
extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF
SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
