SEPARATING THE SPIRITUAL FROM THE PHYSICAL
THE HIDDEN MEANING
INTRODUCTION
In these next scriptures, we at VAL-TE’ believe if we are not faithful in living as the Lord wants, and always doing what pleases Him, we can make mistakes that will dramatically alter the course of our lives and bring harmful consequences upon ourselves and others. I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath. He has led me and made me walk In darkness and not in light. Surely He has turned His hand against me. Time and time again throughout the day. He has aged my flesh and my skin, And broken my bones. He has besieged me. And surrounded me with bitterness and woe. He has set me in dark places. Like the dead of long ago. He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out; He has made my chain heavy. Even when I cry and shout, He shuts out my prayer. He has blocked my ways with hewn stone; He has made my paths crooked. He has been to me a bear lying in wait, Like a lion in ambush. He has turned aside my ways and torn me in pieces; He has made me desolate. He has bent His bow, And set me up as a target for the arrow. He has caused the arrows of His quiver, To pierce my loins. I have become the ridicule of all my people – Their taunting song all the day. He has filled me with bitterness, He has made me drink wormwood. He has also broken my teeth with gravel, And covered me with ashes. You have moved my soul far from peace; I have forgotten prosperity. And I said, “My strength and my hope, Have perished from the LORD.” Remember my affliction and roaming, The wormwood and the gall. My soul still remembers, And sinks within me. This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 1-23 NKJV
Biblical Word
ARROWS – The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2: 6-10 NIV
Reference
2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 – But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw, I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan’s messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Immanuel’s power over me. I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Immanuel’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. GNT
Significance
Testing of Your Faith (Conflicts, sufferings, and troubles – encountered by all people of faith) – We at VAL-TE’ also believe are a tool which remove impurities from our minds and strengthens the power that our spiritual body has over our conscience and how they are harmoniously in sync. The idea is that these trials are not meant to destroy, but to reveal the true nature of one’s faith and to draw people of faith closer to God. Faith changes the direction of our love, and alters the motive which sways us: this is what is meant by purifying the mind. It makes us love that which is good and right, and move us with motives free from which is understood as any thought, action, or attitude that falls short of God’s standards. While suffering can be painful and challenging, it is seen as a means for growth and transformation, allowing people of faith to think more deeply, focus on your thoughts, actions, and emotions and you go about your life without much judgment.
