05/25/2022
Do we endure hardship in our lives to bring the message of salvation, of Jesus, to the lost? Is our road to that place where we can have a gospel conversation, or deliver the good news of Christ, fraught with pain, suffering, and challenging trials? We endure such events in our lives because they polish us spiritually, and reveal the stark contrast of our faith as it is compared to the world. Our suffering, like Job’s, and the passion of Jesus, defines our belief, and without the battles we face, there could be no victory in our lives. Are we victorious through our hardships, and tribulation?
“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
2 Timothy 2:10 ESV
My life, and most likely yours too, is much like what Paul is describing here to Timothy. We don’t merely face hardships because we are forced to, but we choose to endure them so that others can see Jesus in us, and thus by witnessing how we wrestle with the world’s lies, and temptations, they can come to grasp a personal faith, and know Jesus themselves. Through our trials they are led to understand that no price we might pay is too high if it means that we can tell others, of our Lord. Jesus didn’t just tell us to follow Him, or to sing joyful hymns with Him to Our Father, no, He told us to pick up our cross and follow Him… what is the cross we will choose bear today? What do we choose to endure in our lives that others can look at, and in so doing see our love for God, and faith in Jesus?
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 16:24-25 ESV
When asked about the trials and tribulations in my own life, I not only tell people the stories, or details, of my suffering, but about how those times of suffering led me to glorify God, and how they strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ. I tell them emphatically that the worst days, and years of my physical life have always been the best of my spiritual life. In my devotional reading today I read a short account that went like this…
“When told, “It’s a grey day,” an old Scottish cobbler once replied, “Yes, but didn’t ya see the patch of blue?”” - Unknown Author
Our patch of blue is our faith, and being able to tell others of God, and our redemption by His grace that flows through a suffering Jesus Christ. As I read this short account I could see not only the blue sky through the hole in the clouds, but a radiant beam of light that was shining through it.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””
John 8:12 ESV
In choosing to endure our darkest times we reveal something wonderful about our lives… we “have the light of life.” Jesus tells us that if we follow him we will not only bear the cross, but will have the light of life… isn’t that wonderful to contemplate? Not only is Jesus the light of the world, but by following Him we too have that light. When we choose to bear the cross, and follow Jesus, we will be made to suffer, and be crucified, but we will also be resurrected. In this way are we victorious in life?
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus who not only lived, but suffered, and died, to redeem us. Thank you for His resurrection, his defeat of death, and the promise of His return. Help us to see ourselves in Him Father, and to follow Him not only to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, but on to Calvary where the hammer will ring out, and our crosses will be stood up. Help us to endure our suffering even as you helped Him in His, and let the light shine forth from us so that many can see it, and they will be brought to you through the example of our lives as He abides in us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who allows us to suffer so that an ultimate good, and the salvation of souls can be accomplished. Praised be your name when we face times of tribulation because in such times our faith is shown to be worth any price, and our love for you is lifted up for all to see. Merciful are you our Father who washes us in the cleansing blood of Jesus, and transforms us in preparation for eternity with you. By your grace we are redeemed, and through every grey day our light shines forth, and your glory is revealed. Lift us up in righteous judgement to sit with you, and to feed on the manna of your Word forevermore. In this, the perfection of your will, dry all of our tears Father, and remove every hardship.
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
1 Peter 3:14-17 ESV
Rich Forbes