Joel M Bradshaw

10For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
11You brought us into the net;
you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
12you let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.–Psalm 66

1. On one side is a crushing burden.
2. Think what you might be experiencing now or ponder where God has brought you.
3. On the other side is a place of abundance.
4. Think about the blessings that can only come from God.
5. Certainly, we could spiritualize this and make it about sin. The crushing burden of our sin, the abundant blessing of forgiveness and grace.
6. The psalmist seemed to have been historical with his nation. He no doubt recalled both slavery in Egypt and the abundance of the Promised Land.
7. Is God testing and trying you during this season? How are you navigating the tension of perspective? For in the midst of your current crushing burden you still have the God who has abundantly blessed you.–JMB