Paul and Barnabas embarked
on an extensive journey and planted churches all along the way. The fledgling
Believers they left behind suffered for their faith in Jesus. So, the apostles
made a return visit on their way home to encourage the Christians in all the churches they started. They
strengthened these fledgling Saints and encouraged them to persevere through
tribulation, because their ultimate destination was the Kingdom of God (Acts
14:21-22). Paul also reminded them that
we are never alone in our persecution. We have one another, as well as our
Savior that lives within us (Galatians 2:20).
We often reap tribulation
from some ill-conceived scheme of our own, or from a decision or action
perpetrated by some self-centered person in our life. At other times, we are in
the wrong place at the wrong time, and we fall victim to some evil deed.
However, God uses every tribulation to build up our faith and to allow the
fruit of His Holy Spirit to replace the carnality in our life (Galatians
5:22-23). We learn to rejoice in suffering
and to persevere through it (Romans 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:16). It is miraculous what praising will accomplish in us
and for us.
Paul also went on a second
missionary journey, this time with Silas to assist him. In one town, they were
accused of causing riots and sentenced to time in jail (Acts
16:20). Knowing the secret of the power
of praise, the men prayed and sang hymns even while they were chained behind
bars (Acts 16:25). God blessed their
faith and miraculously delivered them from their bondage. This phenomenon
caused their guard and his household to accept the saving knowledge of Christ
into their lives (Acts 16:30-38).
When we view our tribulation
with the eyes of the Holy Spirit, we learn the secret of contentment regardless
of where we are, what we have or what is happening to us (Philippians
4:12). There is always something to
thank God for. We may have received a faux fur coat rather than a genuine mink;
however, we are still warm. We may have a small income rather than great
wealth, but we still have everything we really need. We may have physical
ailments, but we are still alive. There is always something for which we can
praise the Lord. Adversity and advantage are actually two sides of the same
coin (James 1:2-8).
When we allow our self to
focus on what we do not have, or on our problems and negative circumstances, we
lose faith. We doubt God’s love for us, and His power to provide. Our greatest
gift in life, as well as in death, is eternal life. No one can kill a
Christian. They can only change our address! Paul reminds us that to be absent
from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). The Lord rejoices in the death of His Saints,
because we are no longer separated from Him by time and space, and we will live
in His presence for eternity (Psalm 115:16).
The purpose of tribulation
is to conform us to the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:29). A secondary purpose is that we are forced to totally
trust in God for deliverance, when we encounter trouble that we cannot navigate
on our own. As we see God’s mighty hand move in our behalf during these times
of trial, our faith grows and we learn wisdom and patience (James
1:4-8). Eventually, we learn to be
joyful at all times, even in tribulation. This is because of the Godly
character built into our life, as well as because of the hand of God that is
always strong in our behalf (James 1:2-4).
Prayer:
Lord God, we find total
peace and joy only when we give thanks to You in all of our circumstances (1
Thessalonians 5:18). Our fulfillment
depends more on our relationship with You than it does on our state of affairs.
We may not have what we want; but if we did not have what we need, then You
would certainly provide it (Philippians 4:18-20). Remind us to wait on You and to be of good courage, knowing full well
that You will strengthen our heart and supply our needs in Your perfect timing
and way (Psalm 27:14).
Thought for the Day:
No one who places their hope in the Lord will
ever be put to shame. - Psalm 25:3
