Why Does Thou Contend With Me?

"I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me."  Job 10:2.   Job was in "bitterness of soul."  Why was God contending with him?  Why does God contend with us?  Patience and joy must be learned.  These two vital ingredients of life are gained under fire.  God teaches us those lessons that give us character.  God contends with us so that we know that He is God.  He deals with us so that we might grow into His image.  We are being shaped for that which is better and more glorious.  Passing through the fire purifies.  The contentions of life are stepping stones to a transformation into godliness.  Tests help us to stand.  God wants us to endure.  His perfection is to be our perfection.  God places us in the midst of the battle.  We face the enemy, and God contends with us so that we might know victory rather than defeat.  God contends with us so that we might know that the end justifies the means.  God contends with us so that we might move from the valley to the mountain top.  God contends with us so that we might continue to be strong and fearless.  God contends with us because we are being molded into heavenly dwellers.