5 Smooth Stones

The scripture speaks of the danger of coming by good and Godly

things too easily (Proverbs 20:21).

Gifts may be freely given, but if they are received too cheaply or easily then they are likely to be disregarded. Like Esau and his birthright, which he exchanged for a quick lunch, we cannot truly honor what we received too inexpensively. David spoke to this principle when he refused to receive the threshing fl oor where the Temple of God was to be built without it costing him something. 2 Samuel 24:24 “Then the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I o ff er burnt o ff erings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing." So David bought the threshing fl oor and the oxen for fi fty shekels of silver.” Likewise, those who want to see the gift of God which has been freely given to them manifested in a time and spiritually proven fashion, they must be willing to pay a dear price to have it at a higher level. This is not unlike salvation, which is freely given, yet if it is to be truly received and manifested it will likely be quite costly. This cost is not in earning salvation, but in manifesting it or proving it in your life (Philippians 2:12). Testing is not to be seen as a test of failure or success, but as with silver, a test of purity of content. When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan the Spirit came upon Him like a dove. Before this Jesus did not have the Spirit, and therefore did not do any miraculous work which required the working of the Spirit. While He was in the wilderness He was proving the working of the Holy Spirit for His own life and ministry. But there was even more going on. First of all, He was not left alone to deal with the devil, he had the Word of God, which He had put into His heart and mind since He was a boy through the study of the Tora. But God also did not leave Him to fend for Himself. Mark 1:13 “And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.” Even though His circumstances were less than desirable, with wild beasts and demonic presence, there are were angels sent to minister to Him (Psalms 91:11, 12; Hebrews 1:14). The Lord will not do any less for us during our testing and proving, for while he knows we must be tested, He likewise wants us to pass our tests. Some have suggested that He will graciously allow us to have our tests repeatedly until we pass them. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

128