ROMANS 5:1-5 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
THEME OF THE DAY: THE NEED FOR FROSTY DAYS. The feel of fall came to southern New England early this week. I was preparing to go for a morning walk and my wife said, “You might want to consider a long sleeve shirt. I think you are underdressed.” Being a little Thomas-like, unless I see for myself, I sort of brushed off her care and stepped outside our front door. Then, I stepped back inside and whispered, “I think you are right” and went to better prepare for the weather. It was chilly. And that leads to the following story . . .
A young man was trying to establish himself as a peach grower. He had worked hard and invested his all in a peach orchard which blossomed wonderfully—then came a frost and the total devastation to what he thought was going to be a bumper crop. He did not go to church the next Sunday, nor the next, nor the next. This concerned his pastor. He scheduled a visit to the wannabe peach grower’s home to inquire as to the reason for his absence from church. Upon arriving, the minister asked, “I have been missing you in church lately. Is everything alright?” The young fellow exclaimed: “I’m not coming any more. Do you think I can worship a God who cares for me so little that He will let a frost kill all my peaches?” In silence, the wise pastor looked at him for a few moments, then said kindly: “God loves you better than He does your peaches. He knows that while peaches do better without frosts, it is impossible to grow the best men without frosts. His object is to grow men, not peaches.”
In today’s scripture the Apostle Paul tells us the “good fruit” which comes from the “frost of suffering” – endurance, character, and hope. All these virtues build the firm foundation for an effective testimony for the Lord Jesus and show the world the reality of Him. We may also state the opposite. Lack suffering and we won’t grow in endurance, character and hope. The foundation then of an ineffective testimony for Jesus will be built on sand and unreliable. We must not mind; actually we must embrace, suffering in our lives. Whether it be spiritual, physical, or emotional, very little, if any spiritual growth occurs without seasons of suffering and trial.
So, when those frosty days of suffering come, remember God isn’t trying to grow peaches but godly children.
PRAYER: Father, help me not complain in those frosty seasons when You are growing me spiritually.
REFLECTION: Very little, if any, spiritual growth occurs without long seasons of suffering and trial.