This Christian walk and this journey leads us through paths that are strewn with obstacles, pains, trials, valleys and moments of great joy. How else would God be able to transform us into people who can truly see His love, His joy, and His Glory. We are always so caught up in our self, our counterfeit joys and our own desire for self Glory; that it would take a lot of remodeling to ever change these lumps of clay into something beautiful for His kingdom or into hearts capable of seeking and savoring the most precious gifts He desires to give. God often allows Satan to "sift us" as He allowed Him to sift Job, David, Peter, and I daresay all of the great men and women of God. Unless our hearts become broken and Contrite, there will never be enough room within them to be filled with God’s love. So, step by step, glory by glory, we are being transformed into His image.
Psalm 16:
7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Keep looking to Jesus. He has promised to complete the work in me. So God, keep chiseling; because at the end of all your work I will know how to bask in Your Glory, bathe in Your Love, and Overflow with Your Joy.
What cause have they who have an interest in Christ, to glory in their Redeemer! They are often beset with many evils, and many mighty enemies surround them on every side, with open mouths ready to devour them. But they need not fear any of them. They may glory in Christ, the rock of their salvation, who appears so gloriously above them all. They may triumph over Satan, over this evil world, over guilt, and over death. For as their Redeemer is mighty, and is so exalted above all evil, so shall they also be exalted in him, They are now, in a sense, so exalted. For nothing can hurt them. Christ carries them, as on eagle’s wings, high out of the reach of all evils, so that they cannot come near them, to do them any real harm.
Jonathan Edwards
The Works of Jonathan Edwards