Christian Foundations

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. --Isaiah 64:8

During the Great Depression, a good man lost his job, used up all his savings, and forfeited his home. His grief was multiplied by the sudden death of his wife just weeks later. The only thing he had left was his faith, and it had been weakened.

One day, the man walked about looking for work when he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a church building. One of the men skillfully chiseled a triangular piece of rock that didn’t seem to fit in the formation they were creating. So the man shouted to the artist, “Where are you going to put that?”

The man pointed toward the top of the building and said, “See that opening up there near the spire? That’s where it goes. I’m shaping it down here so it will fit up there.”

Tears filled the poor man’s eyes as he walked away. The worker’s words rang clear and spoke deeply to his heart giving new meaning to his difficult situation.

You may be reading this and going through a difficult time yourself right now. It may be something even too troubling to talk to anyone about. But you can know for certain “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Each blow of the hammer and chisel in your life may hurt.

But have faith. These difficulties are only temporary! Sometimes the most painful blows bring about the greatest inner strength. Keep praying and believing that the Master is shaping you down here so you will be fit up there.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to turn your tragedy into triumph, and strengthen your spirit when life painfully hammers you from all sides.