Thursday, January 30th

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

James 1:2

Girls, today's Bible reading brings us to the book of James.  Written by the Lord Jesus' brother, this practical guide for New Testament Christians gives insight about why the Lord allows trials in our lives (chapter 1, verse 3).  God doesn't send desperate times in our lives just to see us beg for His hand of mercy; rather, He allows us to face tribulation simply because it is what grows our faith.  Look at it this way, what kind of mother would keep her baby on her lap constantly, never allowing him to venture from her guarding hands?  We might say she is overprotective, and that might be true; but, the truth is, if that mother doesn't allow her precious baby to get down, he will never learn to walk.  When she does allow him to leave her side, what usually happens?  Does he fall?  Yep.  Again and again and again.  Does he get hurt?  Certainly.  But, the hurt is necessary for him to learn to walk.  

As a child of God, we are going to experience physical pain, mental pain, and emotional pain.  And, while it is most assuredly true that God could very well keep us from this pain, if He did, we'd never learn to walk.  A mother can guard her child constantly, never allowing him to scrape his knee because she can't stand to see him hurt or she can allow him the falls, the scrapes, and the bruises because it is ultimately for his own good.  

God is the perfect parent, girls, and if He brings us TO a valley, He will, of a certainty, bring us THROUGH the valley.  

Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 30
James 1