We often confuse a temptation, and the verses
dealing with it, with trials and tribulation. People quote the verse that God
does not tempt us and use it to mean that God does not allow overbearing tribulation
and trials in the life of an authentic Believer (James 1:13).
They insist that trials are an attack of our archenemy - the devil.
However, temptation is an allurement to sin,
and tribulation is a negative circumstance through which we are forced to live.
There is a difference. Some preachers and teachers attribute all adversity in
our life to Satan and his minions. However, even if Satan does cause the
difficulties, he can only function with God's permission (Job 1:8, 2:3).
Although God does not tempt us, God does
ultimately allow trials, tribulation and rejection in our life (James 1:13; James 1:2;
1 Peter 1:6; Romans 12:12). The key to entering the depth of
intimacy with God, which we all desire, is how we handle difficulties. If we
lose our joy and peace when life tilts out of our control, then we are trusting
in our self, and in our misconception that God will not allow His people to
suffer.
God does allow tribulation and persecution in
order to prove His love for us as He did for Job, or to teach us that He always
walks through tribulation with us and turns everything around for our eventual
good (
Acts 14:22; John 16:33; Romans 8:28, 35-37). He is our God
even in the valleys of life. He teaches us to view life as He sees it,
temporary and fleeting, and He instructs us not to trust in this world for our
fulfillment (James 4:14).
Those who suffer most in this life learn the
best that we rejoice in God's presence and not in His presents, which He
provides for us. Everything He gives us can disappear in smoke, but no one and
nothing can take His presence away from us (Romans 8:38-39).
The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, but God’s Saints bless the Lord either
way (Job
1:21).
Prayer:
Father God, we can put all of our trust in You
because You are the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
You live within us and go through every trial and rejection with us,
encouraging us from the inside out. No matter what we lost yesterday, we find
Your mercy and grace with each new morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Whatever You allow to be taken away from us, You replace with more intimacy
with You.
Thought for the Day:
Every trial is a seed for a miracle that God
has planned for our life.
