Summer 1998
Ministering to the Lord while being tried
Pastor James Laws

"And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every
wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put
wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up
to come unto the work to do it" Exodus 36:2.

These two names are singled out in the building of the Temple, as there is a special meaning in each name.

The word Bezaleel means, "In the shadow of God." It has the same meaning in Psalm 91:1.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most
High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

His portion was the Lord, as he had set himself apart to be a dwelling place for the Lord. If we desire to be chosen to do something for the Lord, we also must have this same quality; abiding in the shadow of His presence in the secret place. The word Aholiab means, "The tent of his father's dwelling place." He also had this quality relationship with the Lord.

Ephesians 4:11 lists the five-fold ministries, each having a distinct part in the building up of the Body of Christ. In this last day, in which the Body is being prepared for the return of its Head, there is a functioning of these ministries within the members of the Body.

Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, had stayed close to his father, and Joseph discerned this special relationship. Therefore when he stood before Joseph, he gave him five changes of raiment. These were to equip him to function in whatever situation he might find himself, as Bezaleel and Aholiab had been prepared by the Lord to build the temple.

In Exodus 35:31-34, Bezaleel was given five things: (1) the Spirit of God, (2) wisdom, (3) understanding, (4) knowledge in all manner of workmanship, and (5) "He hath put in his heart that he might teach." He was to work with five things; gold, silver, brass, stones, and wood. This is comparable to the five fold ministry.

In verse 35, the Lord filled them with "wisdom of heart." So also, we should not limit the Lord as to how He may seek to use us in our circumstances. If through our times of communion with the Lord, we have become "a son of His right hand," and we are "the tent of His habitation," then He will equip us to have a part in the preparation of His Temple - the Body of Christ, to receive its Head.

Along with this, there is one more area that must be dealt with, for us to be properly equipped concerning all that is before us.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into
various temptations; Knowing this, that the trying
of your faith worketh patience. But let patience
have her perfect work, that you might be perfect
and entire, wanting nothing" James 1:2-4.

The Lord has a purpose in the difficulties, trials, and testings that we face in our daily life experience. We recognize that we are changed into His image through these things, but there is a part that is often neglected.

Usually in a time of trial, we expect the Lord to come and minister to us. However, we should not only thank the Lord for these things, but we are to minister to Him during our times of trial.

We are to "count it all joy" while we are being tempted. This word "count" means that we are to command with authority and rule over our circumstances. Thus, we are not to give in and feel sorry for ourselves, but rather command joy in our experience of being tested.

This trying of our faith is to work patience in us. As we rest in joy, we will see an eternal change taking place deep within us, that we may be properly prepared to have a part in the building up of the Habitation of the Lord, the Body of Christ.

Jesus was not fully prepared for His ministry until after He had been tested by the devil.

"And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed
from Him for a season. And Jesus returned in the power of
the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him
through all the region round about" Luke 4:13-14.

Let each of us be found faithful in our time of testing.