03-09-2019
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Whether we like it or not, and whether
we ever want to fully face up to this reality in this life, every single one
us, saved or unsaved, will have to face a certain amount of trials and
tribulations as we journey through this life – with absolutely no exceptions to
this cold, hard, brutal fact.
As a result of living in a fallen,
cursed, and imperfect world as a result of what happened in the story of Adam and Eve, every single one of us will have to face
a certain amount of trials and tribulations as we journey through this earthly
life.
God holds us accountable for the bad we
do and judges us AFTER DEATH, not
{typically} the instant we decide to do a bad act. In Acts 5 we read of the time two people died instantly from LYING to Peter and
the HOLY SPIRIT. Ananias & Sapphira could have chosen to tell the truth and
suffer the consequences of their deceit, instead they tried to hide their
actions from the people and the Holy Spirit bringing instant judgment upon
them. Romans 14:12; Matthew 12:36; 1 Peter 4:5
We are vulnerable; therefore we suffer
from mankind’s INHUMANITY towards one another. God allows men and women the
Freedom to choose EVIL.
- God will eventually right the scales of justice at the final tribunal {Matthew 25:31-33; Hebrews 10:31}
Through
understanding the Word of God we can learn and prepare ourselves for the many
trials that will come our way in this life.
When
you are facing something you think you can’t handle, know that God is walking
with you during this difficult time.
He
will not leave you and instead you can find comfort by casting all your care on
God. He will help show you the right way to get through your trials. Give God
the opportunity to help you stay strong when things go wrong.
- Understanding the purpose of trials –
- Cast our cares upon the Lord for He cares for us! –
- Prepare for storms before they come! –
- Guard against anxiety/worry -
- Enjoy the good times and be thankful! –
"We
must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts
14:22
God's
people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when he chose his
people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace
of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom
from sickness and the pains of mortality was never promised them; but when
their Lord drew up the charter of privileges, he included chastisements amongst
the things to which they should inevitably be heirs. Trials are a part of our
lot; they were predestinated for us in Christ's last legacy. So surely as the
stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by him, so surely are
our trials allotted to us: he has ordained their season and their place, their
intensity and the effect they shall have upon us. Good men must never expect to
escape troubles; if they do, they will be disappointed, for none of their
predecessors have been without them. Mark the patience of Job; remember
Abraham, for he had his trials, and by his faith under them, he became the
"Father of the faithful." Note well the biographies of all the
patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and you shall discover none of
those whom God made vessels of mercy, who were not made to pass through the
fire of affliction. It is ordained of old that the cross of trouble should be
engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the royal mark whereby the King's vessels
of honour are distinguished. But although tribulation is thus the path of God's
children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has traversed it
before them; they have his presence and sympathy to cheer them, his grace to
support them, and his example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach
"the kingdom," it will more than make amends for the "much
tribulation" through which they passed to enter it.
Chastisement – READ>> Hebrews
12:5-11; Jeremiah
31:18-20; Leviticus
26:28; 2
Samuel 7:14; Job
5:17; Job
33:19; Psalm
89:32; Psalm
94:12; Psalm
106:41-44; Psalm 107:14-31; Psalm
118:18; Isaiah
53:4; Hosea
7:12; Hosea
10:10; Revelations
3:19; Proverbs
3:12; Deuteronomy
8:5; 1
Corinthians 11:32; Titus
2:11-14
Throughout Scripture we are given many
examples of GOOD people even GODLY people going through trials during their
journey on this earth. Listen my friends GOD only allows HIS children to endure
so much from HIS enemy, Satan. The story that most explains, Why bad things
happen to good people can be found in JOB.
Take a moment to read Job’s story here, Job
1-40; including how God rewarded Job here, Job
41-42.
Job serves as an example of how the righteous are not immune to
suffering. In the New Testament, James cites Job as an example to Christians
who suffer:
As an example, brothers and sisters, of
suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord [as
His messengers and representatives]. You know we
call those blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] who were
steadfast and endured [difficult circumstances]. You have heard of the patient
endurance of Job and you have seen the Lord’s outcome [how He richly blessed
Job]. The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. {James 5:10-11}
And like Job, we are Satan’s targets now. Peter warns us to, “Be sober [well balanced and
self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of
yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking
someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your
faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the
same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and
sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]” {1 Peter 5:8–9}
So our response should be the same as
Job’s: we must “resist Satan and stand firm in [our] faith”.
“So submit to
[the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will
flee from you.” James
4:7
As human beings it is hard to wrap our minds
around the FACT that GOD is ALL POWERFUL and yet HE is so LOVING; while bad
things keep happening in this world HE CREATED.
It is NOT for us to understand, but to
accept that as long as we journey on this earth we will face many TRIALS and “BAD”
things. God’s way is not our way {Isaiah
55:8-9} so we just need to TRUST in GOD who has promised to be with us
through ALL the trials we face {1
Corinthians 10:13}. We need only to remind ourselves that through all the
TRIALS we will come out victorious {Romans 8:28}.
I know it is not easy my friends but the
more you practice being joyful through the TRIALS and “BAD THINGS”; the
STRONGER you will become to STAND UP against the enemy who is causing all the “BAD
THINGS”, Satan and come out victorious and rejoicing in the Lord.
Consider it pure
joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything. James
1:2-4
In this you
rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have
been distressed by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which
is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to
result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Beloved, do not
be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to
test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. But
insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when
His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice
with great joy. If you are insulted and
reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy
and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the
Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they
curse, you glorify].Make sure that none of you suffers as a
murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal [in response to persecution], or
as a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others; but if anyone suffers [ill-treatment] as a
Christian [because of his belief], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify
God [because he is considered worthy to suffer] in this name.For
it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and
if it begins with us, what will
the outcome be for those who do not respect or believe or
obey the gospel of God? And if it is difficult for
the righteous to be saved, what will become of the godless and the sinner? Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with the
will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for
safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator. 1
Peter 4:12-19
After you have
suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and
favor], who called you to His own
eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and
establish you [making you what you ought to be].
Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous,
favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive
the [victor’s] crown of life which the
Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Through
ALL the TRIALS and “BAD THINGS” we must remember that as long as we are SERVING
GOD this WORLD WILL HATE US PERIOD, just as it HATED our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Jesus
tells us in John 16:33 that we can overcome this
world with all its “BAD THINGS” because HE FIRST OVERCAME it for US!!! PRAISE
THE LORD…
I have told you
these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled
with joy]; I
have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] John 16:33
I pray you have
a better understanding of WHY now so you will be able to comfort others with
the WORD of GOD when they are going through TRIALS and “BAD THINGS”. May the
Holy Spirit be with you as you continue to study the Word of God {2
Timothy 2:15} guiding you into the TRUTH.
Forever in
Christ Jesus Service,
More
Scripture to encourage you through your TRIALS and “BAD THINGS”
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