Growing .( 1 Peter 2 v 21 )

 Someone writing on the persecution of Christian said ,'More persecution, more growing', in China many Christians suffered tremendously under Communism,but the church has grown  When Israel was in Egypt oppressed  by Pharaoh, they were made to do hard labor, treated ruthlessly. But we read these remarkable words ,' The more they were oppressed the more they multiplied, and spread.' There are applications I see in this,one in relation to individual Christians, .God has a loving purpose for every individual Christians,and often that means a degree of suffering. Believe it or not we can grow through suffering,for it is then we seek the Lord,for grace,that enables us to endure, and to trust.There are things in my own life which have not gone away,God permits the suffering we experience ,so that we can rely on Him more.We will not permit us to suffer longer than God sees fit,there will be a time when  God says enough,consider God's choice servants , Joseph, and Job, men who suffered much,in Gods refining fire, and who in their suffering grew.