03/08/2019
We must face tribulation on our journey towards the kingdom of God. Some who begin their walk Of faith seem to believe that by following Jesus they will not face hardship or suffering yet that is not the case. What is true is that Jesus will be right there with us in the midst of our tribulation, and that the promise of heaven remains our solid promise, and that the joy of God shines before us in the form of Jesus as a continuous reminder.
“When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:21-22 ESV
In Lystra Paul was stoned by the Jews and left for dead, but when his disciples came to claim his body he rose up and returned to Lystra, and the surrounding towns, where he continued to preach and make disciples. There are two big lessons to learn from these verses, the first is that Paul suffered a terrible stoning; he wasn’t spared that, nor was he spared any of the other hardships in his life. We too will face such things because it is the nature of living in this world. The second lesson is that he was not deterred nor discouraged from his faith. Paul rose up, went right back into the city, and began to preach again. Bruised, bloody, battered, and racked by pain he continued on... like every faithful character in the Bible he faced suffering, and by the strength of his faith in God continued on.
There are so many examples of suffering in the Bible, but none greater than Jesus Christ. He suffered beyond belief; was beaten to the point he could not be recognized, spit upon, mocked, nailed to a cross, and died a hellish death... yet His faith never wavered, and even his final words were spoken to a God. So why is it that we think that we will escape trouble in this world? Why is it that we say such things as “How could a loving God allow a thing such as this to occur?” Are we still arguing that Jesus was a special case and that he suffered for us so that we wouldn’t have to face such things? Well let’s look a bit further at his disciples... each one of them died a horrific death because of their faith with the exception of John. They were stoned, beheaded, crucified, and beaten to death... none retired to a life of ease... not even John who was exiled. In three of the four gospels we read of Jesus saying...
“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
Matthew 10:38 ESV
“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Mark 8:34 ESV
“And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 ESV
Although I find it interesting that John did not write these words... being the only one of the 12 who did not die a horrible death, the point remains... we are meant to face the hardships of our life by leaning on our faith. Jesus didn’t tell us to pick up our robe, say goodbye to our family, or grab our Bible... he told us to pick up the instrument of His greatest suffering. If you believe in God and Jesus because you think it will allow you to live a life of ease then you are mistaken. This is the first lesson in our scripture reading today.
The second lesson today is that we should hold to our faith despite our suffering and hardship of life. There is a difference between what the world has in store for us and what Jesus brings to us...
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
In this verse we learn that the world gives something different to us than what Jesus does. We will continue to suffer in the world, but Jesus gives us a peace that allows us to endure its hardships... Jesus tells us that our worldly tribulation will continue, but then offers us relief...
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."”
John 16:33 ESV
So when we are being ground down by the world, and Satan is doing his best to destroy our faith... to wither our vine... we are told that Jesus is the victor, and has overcome the world. This is not to say that we will do what we should because there will be those that will believe the lies of Satan, but if we hold to our faith we will persevere, and the tears will be dried from our eyes just as they will be for the saints...
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."”
Revelation 21:3-4 ESV
Our promise is not of this world, but in our God in Heaven. These trials and all of this suffering that we face each day is like a drop of water as compared to the vast ocean of God’s goodness, joy, and peace that awaits us. You might have a loved one here that is dying, and it is driving a stake through your heart as you grieve, but you will overcome this, just as your loved one will overcome death by faith.
“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"”
1 Corinthians 15:54-55 ESV
Do not lose faith my friend, and do not give up hope in what lies ahead. Today we suffer, but he strengthens us, whereas tomorrow and throughout eternity we will rest, and rejoice in God’s goodness, joy, and peace, forever.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus who has conquered the world, and for your promise of the eternal life and pleasures we have before us in your presence. Thank you Holy Father for the strength you provide me to sustain my faith in you, and the cross I bear each day that gives me perseverance, and teaches me to lean on you for my deliverance. Today I suffer Father, but by your grace which flows through Jesus I am able to endure it, and hold tight to the promise of your table... the feast that awaits me there. Great is your mercy, and good are the hard lessons I learn in the face of my suffering. Praised be your name Gracious Father, even in the midst of trial and hardship. Hear my prayers for help as I suffer, and hear my praise rising from the heart of my travail. I am not faced with any trial I am unable to overcome while holding your hand, and you are with me always. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God. Great is your mercy and grace that saves and redeems me by the blood of your Son Jesus. By His sacrifice I am lifted from this world of sin and suffering. You are my great God, and I praise and worship you now, and forevermore.
Rich Forbes