Our Appointment

Scripture:  I Thessalonians 3:  2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

While reading I Thessalonians, I came upon these verses.  “And” what amazed me, was the whole idea, we are appointed to our afflictions.  “Appointed”, what a word to use!  It suggests that we ought to take ownership; we have a duty or honor to fulfill; we have a purpose to realize; and our trials are never an accident.  Christ does not want us to think that it was by chance or that our trial was a coincidence.  He has appointed and assigned us to the very trial that will mold and shape us into what He desires to fulfill in us.  His plans are to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  Christ let us know that we are to carry ourselves a certain way in this life.  Why?  Because we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus; It is our reasonable service to present our bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to the Lord.  We are to be like Christ and be about our Father’s business.  We have been redeemed by the “PRECIOUS” blood of Jesus; and we are to be fully used for “God’s glory”.  Understanding that glory to God is connected to our appointed and assigned affliction, should give us a sense of honor and a privilege to fulfill what God desires.  Well, Lord, why must honor come this way, in a hardship or a trial?  You must know that affliction consists of some pain and suffering.  “But” we understand that the Lord’s plans are unlike ours; His ways are not ours.  How we respond to the pain He specifically gives to us is essential to our story, our testimony.  Without the pain, we could never become all He wants; or accomplish all He has purposed for us to accomplish.  Let us encourage one another.

Prayer:  Lord, we thank You so much for the way You love on us; it is a love we could have never designed.  Your marvelous ways consume us; and cause us to know You as our Wise and Sovereign King.  Lord, help us to embrace all that You have for us in a thankful and grateful praise.  You are Worthy of Glory, Honor & Worship Always even in our appointed afflictions…in Jesus’ Name -Amen!

(by Lisa Williams)