Joy in Hard Times
Monday, March 23, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 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.”
Romans 5:3–5
Our attitude is not determined by our circumstances. Some people are joyful during times of great trial. Others are discontent even in times of plenty. Our attitude is determined by our view of those circumstances. If we view hard times as something unfair or surprising, we will be likely to allow them to drag us down. On the other hand, if we view hard times as part of God’s purpose for our lives, we will be likely to keep our joy.
Nothing ever happens that takes God by surprise. Many times we are blindsided by things we didn’t see coming, but He never is. And while there are times when His plan involves us going through great hardship and trial, there is never a time when we get there accidentally. Our hardships are an opportunity for our faith to grow and God’s power to be displayed. Writing to people who were literally being killed for their faith, Peter said, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13).
In Pilgrim’s Progress, when Christian and Hopeful are trapped in Doubting Castle by the Giant Despair, they spend days in a basement prison. Finally, Christian remembers something important. “‘What a fool,’ quoth he, ‘am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom called Promise; that will, I am persuaded, open any lock in Doubting Castle.’“ The key works, and the two walk free rejoicing to continue on to the Celestial City.
Today's Growth Principle:
Because of our faith in God’s purpose for our lives and our belief in His promises, we can be joyful in the most difficult circumstances.
Monday, March 23, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 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.”
Romans 5:3–5
Our attitude is not determined by our circumstances. Some people are joyful during times of great trial. Others are discontent even in times of plenty. Our attitude is determined by our view of those circumstances. If we view hard times as something unfair or surprising, we will be likely to allow them to drag us down. On the other hand, if we view hard times as part of God’s purpose for our lives, we will be likely to keep our joy.
Nothing ever happens that takes God by surprise. Many times we are blindsided by things we didn’t see coming, but He never is. And while there are times when His plan involves us going through great hardship and trial, there is never a time when we get there accidentally. Our hardships are an opportunity for our faith to grow and God’s power to be displayed. Writing to people who were literally being killed for their faith, Peter said, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13).
In Pilgrim’s Progress, when Christian and Hopeful are trapped in Doubting Castle by the Giant Despair, they spend days in a basement prison. Finally, Christian remembers something important. “‘What a fool,’ quoth he, ‘am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom called Promise; that will, I am persuaded, open any lock in Doubting Castle.’“ The key works, and the two walk free rejoicing to continue on to the Celestial City.
Today's Growth Principle:
Because of our faith in God’s purpose for our lives and our belief in His promises, we can be joyful in the most difficult circumstances.
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
--John 6:63
Not long ago, I was looking at all the books I’ve accumulated over time. I realized that as great as many of them are, only one has life. Oh yes, they have truth in them; but there is no life in those books.
When it comes to the Bible, it’s the only book that pulsates with life. The Bible says of itself, “The Word of God is living…” (Hebrews 4:12). And the Bible will endure forever. The Scripture says that God’s Word is “firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89). There’s no way around it – God’s Word is where life is found and it endures forever!
I’ve been asked in the past on the issue of the infallibility of Scripture, “Where are the original Scriptures?” And my answer to that is, “The Word of God is settled in heaven! That’s where the originals are!” And God, by His power, has preserved His words through the years because His Word is alive.
The Lord Jesus Christ is inseparably linked with His Word. The eternal God is known by the Word of God. So if you want to really know God, study His Word. Meditate on it each and every day because that’s the only book where real life is found!
THE BIBLE IS THE ONLY BOOK THAT HAS LIFE. SO MEDITATE ON THE SCRIPTURES EACH DAY!
No comments:
Post a Comment