To Conform in the likeness of our Lord Jesus

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Rom. 8:28 “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

The main goal of God for us is to conform us to the likeness of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the reason why for these people whom God will do the conforming, their lives will not all be sunshine. There will be times of rain, storm or hail just so God can conform their characters to that of His Son. So yes, God will use problems, loss of love ones, sickness and diseases to do this conforming.

In 1895, a 19th century minister and missionary, Andrew Murray, was in England suffering from a terribly painful back, the result of an injury incurred years before. One morning while eating breakfast in his room, his hostess told him of a woman downstairs who was in great trouble and wanted to know if he had any advice for her. He handed her a paper he had been writing on and said, “Give her this advice I am writing down for myself. It may be that she’ll find it helpful.” This is what he wrote:

“In time of trouble, say, ‘First he brought me here. If it is by his will I am in this strait place, in that place I will rest.’ Next, say, ‘He will keep me here in his love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as his child.’ Then, say, ‘He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons he intends me to learn, and working in me the grace he means to bestow.’ And last, say, ‘In his good time he can bring me out again. How and when, he knows.” Therefore, say “I am here by:

(1) God’s appointment,

(2) in his keeping,

(3) under his training,

(4) for his time.”