Galatians 4:1,2
“Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.”
This passage reminds me of royalty. Their children have all sorts of teachers and nannies that groom them all throughout their childhood and teen years to mold and shape them. When the parent passes on, some of these become king or queen.
Interestingly enough the same happens to believers. Paul says in verse two that we “are under guardians and managers until the date set by the father”. What are these in our lives? There are several things that provide input into us.
As we come to Christ, we are submitting our lives to Him. With this permission, He goes to work to mold us. One of the influences is people. There are many famous pairs in the bible, Jonathon and David, Paul and Barnabas, then it became Paul and Silas. The Lord brings others to us as well as us to others. Some are kind and wise and have an encouraging effect.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.” This passage tells us how knives are sharpened, with another piece of iron. As they are put together heat and friction are necessary for the process to work. This friction represents pressure and being annoyed and learning to cope peacefully or as a team.
The Lord uses the difficulties we have to mature us. This happens as soon as we’re born. Babies come out crying and have to learn patience to get needs met. If we don’t mature, people don’t enjoy or benefit from our company.
The Story of Joseph is a wonderful one of how life’s circumstances can mold us for the good. The list is long containing all of the bad things that happened to him: hated by siblings, sold into slavery by the same, betrayed by another in Egypt and thrown into prison and forgotten by friends. One day his brothers enter Egypt to buy food and they end up before Joseph. They are fearful as they fear he will enact revenge. But Joseph says in Genesis 50:20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”
Joseph says this with no bitterness. However, there must have been many nights when he went to bed with great sadness and hopelessness. How did he develop such a great attitude? The Lord was with him every step of the way. He encouraged him directly and through others. The Lord gave him great success wherever he went. He was in charge and successful in Potifar’s house, he also had leadership in prison. All these encouraged him.
Things took a positive turn when pharaoh had the disturbing dream. This represents today’s verse when it says “until the date set by the father”. All of the tragedies encountered prior were the managers. Which brings up an interesting point, God uses our difficulties to mature us. Romans 8:28 is a comforting verse, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” The Lord will uses our frustrations and disappointments for good.
If we are in the middle of misery, this can be difficult to grasp. There are some lows that are tough. If it be the death of a child, the loss of a job or a betrayal by a friend are too low to speak of casually.
Jeremiah 27:6 tells of how the Lord uses these, “Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, My servant, and I have given him also the wild animals of the field to serve him.” This would have surprised the individual living in Jerusalem at that time. Nebuchadnezzar was the ruler who defeated Israel and brought them into captivity for seventy years. Here God calls him, “My servant”. The Lord used this enemy king to mold and shape God’s people.
How amazing that the Lord uses life’s good and bad circumstances to mature us. What a brilliant and loving One that He is. There is much work and thought that is aligned with complicated circumstances to make this work. The Truman Show has Hollywood spending millions to alter and follow Truman in his life. God does this and much more in the lives of each of His children. He manages our circumstances all the while He cradles our hearts, so we aren’t overwhelmed.
Another topic is what work is he preparing us for? We started out speaking of the royals who are groomed to run a country. God prepares each of us for tasks which we will be blessed and be a blessing.
Thank You, God, for all the attention You give us and how You use all aspects of our lives for our good and Your purposes. What a wonder You are.