As things continue to intensify and people struggle with the uncertainties of the times, it is important that we continue preparing – and especially getting prepared spiritually.
Recently, my sister wrote a daily devotional on “Spiritual Maturity”. I thought it was very good and certainly timely with what is going on now in the world. I’ve shared on the topic before, but I think her points certainly warrant repeating. I will share some of the main points of her article below.
Fulfilling the call of God on your life – and also getting prepared for future difficulties – will require spiritual maturity. If we examine what Solomon had to go through to prepare to build the house of the Lord, we gain insight into how the Lord prepares us and trains us up. King David wanted to build the House of the Lord, but God told him that Solomon would be the one who would build the House. Even though David was probably disappointed, he began helping Solomon prepare himself for the task. In 1 Chronicles 29:1 David said, “Solomon is yet young and tinder” (inexperienced), in other words he had not matured yet. King David knew Solomon was inexperience and would need to mature in order to accomplish the call on his life.
Right now as our world faces growing uncertainties, many people are living in fear and panic. Unfortunately, many people have simply been oblivious to the need to ready themselves for difficulties – or may have ignored the preparation call. We live in a world of immaturity. We live in a time when the adults have more toys than the children and most people don’t want to grow up. The first step to spiritual maturity comes as the worldly desires are put aside and the work of the kingdom becomes a priority.
Another part of maturity is learning patience. We learn patients as we go through difficult situations that give experience. According to Romans 5:3-4, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:”
It takes tribulation to work patience in us. Tribulation develops patience and patience produces experience.
We gain patience as we face times of tribulation. This strengthens our faith. So we are to embrace tribulation as a time to grow and mature. You will actually know if you are maturing by how you handle a difficult time.
Experience also comes as we learn to go through difficult times. Many people will view hard times or times of tribulation as an attack of the enemy instead of learning from the difficulty. The experience gives wisdom and the wisdom brings maturity.
Wisdom from Solomon
We will gain wisdom when we receive discipline and correction properly. Discipline is a major part of the maturing process, so do not avoid or despise it.
Proverbs 3:11-12 says, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord: neither be weary of His correction.” We get understanding when we go through correction and chastening. We understand the consequences of our bad choices. Understanding gives you the wisdom to be able to make a better choice. The problem is we all want wisdom but no one wants to be reproved and learn from their mistakes. Everyone wants to hear a prophetic word that will encourage them. But without reproof we will stay immature. When we are reproved is when we gain understanding.
Proverbs 29:15 says, “The rod and reproof give wisdom, a child left to him brings a mother to shame.” A child who is not reproved will not grow up, they become selfish and immature.
Proverbs 13:24 says, “He that spares the rod hateth his son.” A child will actually mature through proper disciplining. All discipline should be accompanied by instruction so there is an opportunity to learn a lesson from the discipline. Proper discipline robes a child in righteousness but harsh discipline robes a child in guilt and shame.
Proverbs 15:32 says, “He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that heareth reproof gets understanding.”
Many people simply do not understand how important disciplines are in their life. We have been enticed to consume the “flesh pleasures” and have ignored the disciplines that bring us into maturity, and prepare us for the difficulties that await us.
To be a disciple means: you have learned to be disciplined. The lack of spiritual maturity and discipline can hold you back from a calling God has on your life – or can hinder your preparation. So learn how to embrace discipline from the Lord as part of your spiritual maturing process. Now is the time to get prepared – and it is especially important to get prepared spiritually
