Work in Progress

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22).

Yesterday we saw that the LORD doesn’t deliver us out of trouble or hardship but promises to be present with us in trouble and hardship.

Today’s verse tells us that the LORD will sustain us in troubling and hard times. Again, what we would prefer is that the LORD rescue us from trouble and hardship. Why doesn’t the LORD rescue us from trouble and hardship? Why does the LORD promise to sustain us in troubling and hard times?

Listen. God is more interested in shaping our character and our spiritual growth than he is in our comfort. Comfort and rest will come. Comfort and rest will be our reality when we are reunited with Christ in eternity. But until then we are on a journey to spiritual maturity and growth.

Comfort and growth; comfort and maturity almost never go together.

Character is shaped through the battles that test our resolve and commitment. Maturity develops as we overcome hardship and difficulties.

We are in training. God is more interested in shaping us into the character of Christ and our spiritual maturity than he is in our comfort. Whatever trouble or hardship you may be facing today, know you are not alone. Christ is with you and the LORD will sustain you. You are a work in progress. God is at work in you.

And for that, we are grateful.