“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” – Acts 14:22“
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” – Rom. 8:18
We speak often of our need of help, but sometimes we resent and resist one of the most helpful things in life. I’m speaking about trials. Although we tend to despise difficulties, there are few things in life so helpful to a child of God as trials. They come to us by divine design and are meant for our good rather than bad.
Tragically most of the time when we speak of wanting help we don’t actually want what is most helpful. We want help in one area and God is at work helping us in another – a more important area. We aren’t always aware of our greatest need, therefore we don’t know what is best for ourselves. Sometimes we think we need help from the very thing that is actually helping us.
The Psalmist said, “ It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” – Psa. 119:71. In this we see the reality – “I have been afflicted“; the reason – “that I might learn thy statutes“; and the result- “It is good for me“. And, as we will eventually see, it is good for us in many ways. Through our trials we are taught about —–
God’s wisdom to guide us
– God’s grace to sustain us
– God’s love to comfort us
– God’s power to transform us.
Through our trials we can often learn more than we could learn from a sermon, a book, or the counsel of our wisest friend. We are edified by the experience, although at the time it wasn’t enjoyable. The joy comes later when the work is done and the product is seen ( Heb. 12:11). When we finally see that what was grief became gain it will be glory. Looking back at the rough roads, dark days, and tough times we will see where it has brought us and we will have nothing but praise for our blessed Lord! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
