Remembering and Learning from Tribulation
It is Super Bowl Sunday and the Broncos are playing and in the second quarter winning. It looks like we are in for an exciting game, if it continues like it has started. This morning I conducted the chapel services at Morning Star Assisted Living. Then Debbie and I joined Sue and Sam for lunch. After an afternoon nap, I’m ready for the game.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way. For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession. So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.” Hebrews 10:32-36 HCSB
Tribulations can be….trying. What happens when trials and persecution and times of difficulty persist? It is one thing to face those times for a season, but when they seem to become the norm they take on a different meaning. The challenge can also manifest itself when troubles end and the tribulation is forgotten.
During a time of trial, we are “forced” to seek the Lord and depend upon Him. In the “trying of our faith” we are made strong and we see the Lord faithful in our time of need. We have strength to do what we didn’t believe possible.
After a time when those trials comes to an end and we experience “smoother waters” – it is easy to lose our focus on the Lord and the consistency of relying each moment, each day on Him. We can, even without realizing it, reflect an, “I-can-take-from-here” attitude. In these times and in all times we must, “…run with endurance the race that lies before us…” (Heb. 12:1 HCSB)
Endurance, patience, perseverance is needed when the pressure of tribulation ceases and when it persists. When tribulation persists the challenges are great as well. When trials persist relentlessly, it is important to…
1 – Remember initial dedication and persistence. The writer of Hebrews says, “remember…” Remember when you first made a commitment to Christ and your dedication allowed you to endure suffering and to support others who face tribulations.
2 – Remember confidence has reward. The reward comes at the “end.” There is a promise for those who do God’s will and endure until “it is over.” Until that time, the Lord promises His presence and His strength as we continue to trust.
3 – Remember the Lord is coming. “For yet in a very little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him.” (Heb. 10:37,38 HCSB) The old hymn reminds us, “it will be worth it all when we see Jesus…one smile from His dear face, all sorrow will erase….”
4 – Remember we are in this together. “…encourage each other daily, while it is still called today…” (Heb. 3:13 HCSB) In the past these believers had supported those who were in prison and showed they understood the importance of being together in the sufferings that came through faithfulness to Christ.
5 – Remember those who lived by faith. Faith pleases God. Faith is the foundation to our relationship with the Lord. It is reflected in those throughout time who believed, took God at His word, obeyed, performed exploits and persisted in following the Lord…even when what they believed for did not come to pass in this life. (Heb. 11)
6 – Remember to keep your eyes on Jesus. “…keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.” (Heb. 12:2 HCSB) In tribulation, we are encouraged by those who have suffered, endured and overcome. There is no greater example than Jesus. Coming to earth, enduring temptation in human form, continually seeking the Father, the suffering of crucifixion. Now He intercedes for us. He is not just observing…He is with us in our sufferings. “In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.“ (Rom. 8:26 HCSB)
Tribulations and trials that come to our life challenge us and test us. That challenge exists when those times come to an end and when they seem to continue relentlessly. We find in scripture the encouragement and perspective that is needed to handle all circumstances of life.