When things are going smoothly we sometimes forget about talking with God. After all, why do we need His help when we have all we need? Nice house, stylish cars, high paying jobs…life is good!

But when a crisis comes we call out for help and we’re not sure he hears us!

The Bible tells us that God does talk to us. He may not speak to us through the same clear voice that Moses and the patriarchs of the Old Testament heard. He may not speak to us through visions as he did with the Old Testament prophets.

We find ourselves asking ‘how long’ these days. “How long’ do I have to hold for customer service? ‘How long’ do I have to wait before I can enter the store? ‘How long’ will I have to home school my kids? ‘How long’ till life is back to normal?

Jeremiah the prophet asked ‘how long’ when the children of Israel suffered, “How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, “He will not see what happens to us.” (Jeremiah 12:4)

They’re finally easing the rules, but in some ways it’s even more aggravating than before. Some are still waiting for their unemployment to be approved. Waiting in line just to get into the store only to find there are still shortages of some items and prices are rising on others. Sometimes we find ourselves wondering when this will ever truly end!

The first century church was facing bigger trials than we’re seeing today. Oppression, poverty and persecution by the Romans with no end in sight.

The Apostle Peter reminded the believers about the purpose of such trials, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1st Peter 1:6-7)

We can see that we still have a way to go before life is back to normal, but we should remember that these are the kind of trials that will prove our faith and relationship with God.

jim@pathwaycn.com