November 10

you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. — 1 Pet 2:5 BSB

God’s people need many severe trials, painful temptations, and strong afflictions to be shaped into conformity with Christ's image. Unlike lifeless marble under the sculptor's hand, we are living stones and feel every stroke. We are so sensitive that we can’t bear even the slightest trouble without shrinking away. The process of being shaped and chiseled by God into the image He desires is painful work.

But if the stone could understand what the sculptor was doing, it would see that every stroke has a purpose. The sculptor doesn’t make a single unnecessary cut; he knows exactly where and how to strike to create the perfect form. And doesn’t God, who carefully places each spiritual pillar in its proper place, know precisely where to strike us with His afflicting hand? He knows what "carnal angles" need to be chipped away and how to chisel us into the exact shape He has planned.

If the Lord is working on our souls, we can be sure that every affliction is exactly what we need. There’s not one too many, not one too few, not one in the wrong direction. Every stroke serves a purpose in shaping us to be pleasing in God’s sight and making us into what He desires. How much trouble we would spare ourselves if we could patiently submit to the Lord’s afflicting hand and align our will with His.