Standing Firm Through Trials

 Trials happen.  Read the first part of the verses given below.  Then, knowing that by your strength you cannot win, now read the All Caps print which describes God’s intervention and His giving us total victory. 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, BUT THE LORD DELIVERS THEM OUT OF THEM ALL.  Psalm 34:19

In the world you will have tribulation, but BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. John 16:33

Beloved, do not consider it strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but REJIOCE  TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU PARTAKE OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS, THAT WHEN  HIS GLORY IS REVEALED, YOU MAY ALSO BE GLAD WITH EXCEEDING JOY.    1 Peter 4:12-13

Above all put on the shield of faith, that you may be ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE EVIL ONE. Ephesians 6:16

No trial has overtaken you that is not common to man, but GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU ARE ABLE, BUT WITH THE TEMPTATION WILL ALSO MAKE THE WAY OF ESCAPE.                     1 Corinthians 10:13

Satan is the accuser who does all in his power to destroy the will of Christians to stand firm in trials, even though Jesus through His death and resurrection has purchased and given to us “all that pertains to life and godliness” and “through His precious and exceedingly great promises” we not only escape the corruption that is in the world, but literally partake of the divine nature of God. 2 Peter 1:3-4  

That is why we can afford to do what is declared in James 1:2-4, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.” This principle of knowing God is growing us up and forming His own image in us through trials is also found in Romans 5:3-5,  “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope.  Clearly God gives grace to obey this Word, so in faith, we can rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances (1Thessalonians 5:18 says this is the will of God for you!).  Jesus has overcome every battle and He lives in us which causes us to overcome every trial and attack of the enemy.

Whose report will you believe?  Satan is a liar.  Choose to believe Jesus by letting the truth of these promises get in your heart, then declaring them boldly until the light dawns and you see the Lord come through!

Shout to God with a voice of triumph and delight the heart of God by refusing to let trials undermine your firm love and faith in God.

Overcomer or Under the Circumstances

 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. (1 John 5:4)  This reality flows from Jesus Christ, who through His death and resurrection, has overcome the world, sin, sickness, and all the works of the devil.  Romans 8:37 confirms this truth, "Yet in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."  God's eternal plan includes for us "to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren" (Romans 8:29) and that we would be a light in this world as we "walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6)  Just as Jesus overcame, through that victorious resurrection, power and authority has been released for us to also be conquerors that overcome the world.

Man does not realize how far he has fallen.  There is a reason Paul cried out, who is going to save me from this wretched man that I am? Obviously, the next verse (Romans 7:25) recognizes the answer is Jesus.  However, there is a problem.  Man thinks he is okay and can make it on his own strength, his own wisdom, his own ways.  Since all creation also fell according to Romans 8:21, into the bondage of corruption, and combined with the self-centered philosophy of the world, the result is man will have problems and trials.  Man's ways and flesh lead to death.  God has to bring man (us) to the place where we turn from man's ways to receiving help from Him.  We need Jesus to save us, change us, and show us how to live. 

There is an example in nature of a mother pigeon with her young ones which may give insight.  Pigeons make their nest on a perch usually high above the ground.  When mother pigeon thinks that her young ones can and should learn to fly, she lures them to the edge and pushes them off!  As they begin to fall the young bird quickly flaps his wings and starts to fly,  The mother dives behind them catching them (in case they fail) before they reach the ground.  What lesson is in the way this developmental step of growth happens?  We only "fly" when we have to!

Fight the good fight of faith.  The Word makes it clear that we will have battles and that we use faith to overcome them.  Psalm 34:19 points out "many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."  On the other hand, do you remember God's warning to Laodicea when they were complacent in their faith and didn't need anything, instead of seeing they were "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked."  The good news is, which may not seem like good news to our flesh, that trials and problems are God-designed to wake us up and cause us to seek His help.  Even Jesus went through trials as "the Spirit led him into the wilderness."  Why does James 1:2 say "to count it all joy when you fall into various trials"?  The answer given in the following two verses is that you "may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  

God knows man's frame and remembers we are dust (Psalm 103:14).  In other words, he knows exactly what we are and what works to get us to where we need to go.  We are "predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29) and He has always planned "that we should be holy and blameless before Him." (Ephesians 1:4)  It is clear that only God can cause and maintain that sharing of divine nature.  Therefore, God needs to bring us to the point where we see our need and choose to depend upon Him.  As we grow through His revelation and have faith in His promises, God allows us to partake of His nature until He becomes "all in all."  God is the master Father, who encourages, nurtures, and yes, even disciplines us, to become what He intended us to be.  God is at work in us "to will and to work" for His pleasure.  Praise God forever. 

Therefore, be of good courage. In every situation, God will make all things work for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Through the victorious life of the Lord Jesus, you are always led in triumph and by faith, overcome.  Give thanks and be patient, the Spirit will manifest that overcoming power of Jesus' resurrection in and through you.