July 20, 2016 RESPONDING TO TRIBULATION
Romans 5:1-3: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into the grace in which we stand; and we exult in the hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulation, knowing that the tribulation brings about perseverance;”
Exult definition: to show or feel a lively or triumphant joy; rejoice exceedingly; be highly elated or jubilant.
The idea of rejoicing greatly, being elated, or being jubilant in the midst of tribulation may sound unrealistic to say the least. I am the first to confess that I can’t explain how we are to rejoice in trials, but I do know that the scriptures are true and any lack of understanding simply means I need more of God’s wisdom in understanding the scripture. I do know that God is a compassionate God and He tells us to “weep with those who weep,” so we know that God understands that there will be trials and suffering in this life. However, as believers, unlike those that do not know God, we can experience a peace in the midst trials. The big picture we must keep in mind is that we have been born again and no matter what goes on in the here and now, we are heaven bound-to be with the Lord forever. Also, we must remember that God has a plan and He is in full control, even though to us it may appear that the world is out of control. When we come to see, or when we remember that God is sovereign, that He is ruling, that He is using Satan for His purposes, that He is able to use the trials we face for our own good, and that He is a good God, we can then begin to experience peace and a sense of joy when we are experiencing trials. Strangely enough, we can have tears of pain and hurt, and have joy and peace at the same time! If anybody has ever faced a trial and who suffered, it was Jesus; yet we read in Hebrews 12:2: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus did have to endure suffering and trials, but the key point is that He was able to endure because He knew the joy that would follow. The same is true for us; there is a “joy unspeakable” that we will experience, and anticipation of this joy is present with us even in the trial. Suffering and trial are not the end, but the doorway to great joy. If we lose focus on the trustworthiness of God and we focus only on the trial at hand, we will not experience joy. May God open our eyes to see that, just as He did, we can also experience joy in our present trials because of the joy set before us-His plans are glorious. To believe God changes everything.
1 Peter 1:8: “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even thought you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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