I was talking to my daughter the other day when she said, "Why is it Mom that you and I always seem to have so many trials. Others seem to have their life all together and we always have some mess that we are dealing with." Either a car breaks down, some disaster with the house, some tribulation stemming from work, some financial disaster, must finish all this paperwork, someone is sick, and the list goes on. Did you ever feel that way? Did you in the midst of all the chaos of life wonder about your faith? Did you wonder if something is wrong with you? After all, there are a lot of people telling you that it is your lack of faith or some sin in your life causing you to be in the place you are. Some well meaning "Christians" want to tell you that if your faith were strong enough you could name it and claim whatever earthly treasure you want. Yet, if you look at Romans 5 or Acts 14, it is so not the case.
Romans 5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Acts 14: 22 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.
Oh, please do not get me wrong here. We are not sorrowful, moaning saints carrying our cross until the day Jesus returns. I for a long time made that mistake. The truth is that as we grow in our faith, trials do come; yet, we rejoice even in the midst of the trial. We begin to with expectant joyous hope await the victorious results that we know our heavenly Father is bringing. Just like when we are waiting for a wonderful, happy ending to a movie; yet, this time the movie is our life. We are waiting to see with great hope how God is going to show His Glory by solving the problem 1 minute before midnight. That is what true faith as it grows does. Then we become joyful in the very midst of great trials as we wait upon our Father’s showing up to display His Glory.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:…12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What are the results of trials when it comes to faith.
1. Trials manifest faith and the beauty of faith. It is through the trials that faith is demonstrated. If everything is smooth sailing, where is faith shown? It doesn’t require faith to skip along in joy when there is no trial. Faith is faith only when you keep believing when all hope would appear gone by the rest of the world.
2. Trials purify faith. As you keep believing and faith sustains you through one trial until you see the finished work of God’s Glory shining forth from that trial–then your faith is stronger, hope is greater when the next trial comes.
3. Trials bring praise, honor, and Glory to God. As the unsaved world looks on, they take notice when a dear saint marches forward through trials with hope, peace, love, and joy as their banner. Then suddenly while all are watching, God performs a miracle that all take notice. Sometimes that miracle is the genuine joy displayed by the one suffering.
4. Trials display the beauty of the sacrifice which Christ endured on our behalf and turns our hope to God alone. Our hope is not in this world or in ourselves. 1 Peter 1:18 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
5. The display of God’s Glory may be in proportion to the intensity of the trial. That is the intensity may increase that God’s Glory might be displayed with greater beauty.
So, dear friends, lift up your head and rejoice when trials come. Ok, I understand, reality is that at first you may grumble and intermittently you may become wearied and grumbling thoughts come into your head. You wonder if it is all your fault because you didn’t love God as you should. You hate yourself for some sin you committed years ago or some weakness of faith you are clinging to. The truth is trials come and this is your moment to remember all that God has done. Remember, the six steps from yesterday’s note which I will place below. Your faith will be tried, stretched and will grow tiny steps at first, inch by inch until it flourishes into a spring of hope and joy in the midst of the trial.
So, if you are facing things that would appear to be trials or obstacles; remember these principles.
1. Remember who your Father is–He name is "Yahweh–I am" Psalm 91: 14 I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
2. Remember God’s promise that His plan is for your good–(Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11)
3. Remember God cradles you in His Arms as He sings over you with joy, firmly held by His love. (Zephaniah 3:17)
4. Remember His love proven by Christ’s death on the Cross. (John 15:13, John 17)
5. Remember who you are IN Christ–Because of the blood of Christ by faith and not by my own works, You have been saved. Thereby, in Christ You are redeemed (risen), blessed, beloved, chosen, child of the King-heir of royalty, imprisoned by abounding love, servant because of overwhelming gratitude, enlightened by His light, New Creation, filled with His gifted faith, and declared a Saint. (1 Corinthians)
6. Remember that God chose you and He will equip you.
Listen to this song sung by Dennis Jernigan, "The Point of Grace"