믿음을 시험하는 경험들

믿음을 시험하는 경험들

우리는 모두 우리의 기도가 즉시, 그리고 우리의 소원대로 응답되기를 바라며, 

혹시 응답이 늦어지거나 우리가 바라지 않은 형태로 응답되면 용기가 꺾이는 시험을 받는다 . 

그러나 하나님은 참으로 현명하시고 선하시기 때문에 

우리의 기도를 언제나 우리가 바라는 바로 그 시간에, 바라는 그대로의 형태로 응답해 주지 않으신다. 

그분께서는 우리의 모든 소원을 이루어주시는 것보다 더 풍성하고 더 좋은 일을 우리를 위하여 주실 것이다.

그리고 우리가 그분의 지혜와 사랑을 신뢰할 수 있기 때문에, 

우리는우리의 뜻에 양보해 달라고 그분께 요구해서는 안 되며 

오히려 그분의 목적에 따라 그 목적을 이루고자 노력해야 한다. 

우리의 욕망과 흥미는 그분의 뜻 가운데 잃어버린 바 되어야 한다.

믿음을 시험하는 이같은 경험들은우리의 유익을 위한 것들이다. 

그런 경험들을 통하여 우리의 믿음이 오직 하나님의 말씀의 기초 위에 놓여 

진실하고 성실한지, 혹은 환경에 좌우되어 불안하고 변하기 쉬운지 분명히 나타나게 된다. 

믿음은 실천을 통하여 강화된다. 

우리는 주님을 기다리는 사람들을 위하여 성경 속에 귀중한 약속들이 있음을 기억하고 

인내력을 충분히 발휘해야  한다.

- 가정과 건강, 227.

 

Experiences That Test Faith

We all desire immediate and direct answers to our prayers, and are tempted to become discouraged when the answer is delayed or comes in an unlooked-for form. 

But God is too wise and good to answer our prayers always at just the time and in just the manner we desire. 

He will do more and better for us than to accomplish all our wishes.

And because we can trust His wisdom and love, we should not ask Him to concede to our will, but should seek to enter into and accomplish His purpose. 

Our desires and interests should be lost in His will.

These experiences that test faith are for our benefit. 

By them it is made manifest whether our faith is true and sincere, resting on the word of God alone, or whether, depending on circumstances, it is un­certain and changeable. 

Faith is strengthened by exercise. 

We must let patience have its perfect work, remembering that there are precious promises in the Scriptures for those who wait upon the Lord.

- Your Home and Health, 227.