In every trial there is a sinful way of escape (which i have sadly taken more than once), of delivering ourselves by our own power, from Job's temptation to curse God and die as the devil counseled him to do thru his wife, to Saul's presumption of Samuel's office, to the devil counseling the Lord to turn stones into bread, not waiting for the Father to manifest His deliverance.
But in America we think a stomach virus and doing load after load of laundry and spilled coffee is a real trial to talk about, while our brethren in N. Korea or other locales would consider what we typically call trials to be nothing in the light of the benefits we have entered into due to a Godly men and women who went before us. A machine to do laundry with? Medicine for a virus? Hot coffee to drink? A bathroom with hot water?
We (I) need now and will need in the future faith that not only confidently trusts God for deliverance, but one that will endure all things while we wait, and not compromise in order to realize deliverance. The church did not begin with a silver spoon in its mouth, but under civil leaders that make the moral failures of our leadership seem mild.
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (Hebrews 11:32-38)
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (John 21:18-19)
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (John 21:20-22)
What does the “world” want with me and my heart? It seeks to assimilate me. Society seeks to make me a well-adjusted, functional cultural cog in its wheel, and my heart is drawn to the acceptance and approval it gives back.
Indeed.
If my admittedly small trials don’t build my faith, then I am truly lost. I realize others are facing real persecution, and it’s coming here soon.
I'm glad I saw the above before hitting the "reply" button. Great article, with great teaching points. I also understand each one of us is different in how God leads us each day. We are all at different stages of tests and challenges and refinement.