Jesus, a Tested Stone

therefore thus says the Lord God,
“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion,
a stone, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:
‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

Isaiah 28:16 ESV

This scripture I came across today in my daily Bible reading,

(I write out the Bible actually, but I’m reading it also LOL)

The part that moved me was

“…a tested stone…”

We know from 1 Peter 2:6 that this prophecy is about Jesus.

Jesus was tested! He is a proven stone!

And has become the cornerstone!

So why do we want to, or think that we could or should skip the testing, skip the suffering?

When life isn’t going as planned… when things happen outside of our control, what do we do?

Romans 1:21 acknowledge God, and give him thanks

Hebrews 12:7…

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

ESV

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

NIV

I’ve pondered this verse in Hebrews for many years. I’ve thought of it, until just now – today – as “pretend it’s cuz you’re being disciplined” or “make believe that you’re guilty, and therefore endure this hard time as discipline”

But in light of Isaiah 28:16… the suffering is in the resisting of sin, look at verse 4,

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Hebrews 12:4 NIV

God is testing you! No, wait, your Father is perfecting you! No, wait! It’s both!

“Oh GOD! How did I get into this mess!?!” We exclaim! We’re… well, listen, if you dint want to come along for a ride in this I can use the first person… I

I exclaim! I’m so focused on the knowledge of my guilt, that I miss the point… there is NO avoiding of suffering!

Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

Hebrews 5:8-9 NIV

I just looked around and saw this terrific teaching by John Piper… he cover it so beautifully!

Consider 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, and 1 John 1:9… there is a flood of verses coming to mind now! Ephesians 2:8-10! Thank you Lord! Join me! WE are his workmanship!

Loving one another without any other ambition than obedience!

Next, as regards brotherly love, you don’t need any written instructions. God himself is teaching you to love each other, and you are already extending your love to all the Macedonians. Yet we urge you to have more and more of this love, and to make it your ambition to have no ambition!

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 JB Phillips

Loving others! Without Ambition!

There’s a task!

I have failed!

God I confess that I have given in, and yielded to the temptation of manipulating! Letting my gift of words be used by the enemy! Good intentions be damned!

I yield to you, oh, God! Thank you for your word, today and always!

Gossip in all forms, is not God’s way.

I’ll go pray now… I’m back!

Going forward, the temptation is to FIX what I broke… but I have been cut off!

It’s humbling, but it’s my Father! I trust in HIM.