Someone has wisely said, “When Trouble comes knocking at your door, let Jesus rise and answer it.” That is a very comforting admonition which is based on many Scriptures throughout the Word of God.
When I feel led to preach concerning the trials of life and the grace of God we can claim in these times, I often remind folks they may not be experiencing difficulties and heartaches now, but there will be a day when they will need the comfort and peace of God to sustain them in a life challenge.
We observe, too, that unexpected trying situations do not consider the season of the year or of our life and often appear without warning. However, the first chapter of II Corinthians expounds on the comfort of our God that is available and describes our God in Verses 3 and 4 as “the Father of mercies and the God of ‘all’ comfort Who comforts us in ‘all’ our tribulations.” Glory! What a declaration for us to lean on! Verse 5 assures us that as our sufferings abound so also does the consolation of Christ.
In the Old Testament Job, in the midst of his suffering said, “Man (meaning any person) born of woman is of few days (or lives a short life compared to eternity) and full of trouble.” If ever a person were ever honored for enduring tribulation, Job would have received an honorary doctorate in troubles and trials.
Let’s consider now some interesting truths about these unwelcome circumstances that make their way into our lives: 1. Thank God, troubles are only temporary; they come to pass, not to stay. I Peter 1:6 tells us, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice though now ‘for a season’ if need be ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.” We are always relieved when that season has ended.
2. We see from this Scripture, also, that trials are necessary – “if need be.” No one has ever traveled the road of life without encountering some difficulties and unavoidable distress.
3. We observe, too, that these experiences are unpleasant. Now that is certainly an understatement! Peter calls it being “in heaviness” and another form of this word, “heavy,” was used in describing the sufferings of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane just prior to His crucifixion (Matthew 26:37). In Proverbs 12:25, we are told that “Heaviness in the heart maketh it to stoop.”
4. Trials come to us in different forms and from various sources referred to in this verse as “manifold temptations.”
5. Verse 7 reveals that these undesirable circumstances are “the trial of our faith,” and they come to test and strengthen our faith in our God.
6. Finally, we see again in Verse 7 that these unwelcome visitors are valuable, “The trial of your faith being much more precious than gold … might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” They are a witness, also, to those who do not know Christ of the grace and sufficiency of God in our lives in the midst of our sorrows.
A portion of the song, “Through It All,” by Andrae’ Crouch seems to sum it all up: “So I’ll thank God for the mountains, and I’ll thank Him for the valleys; and I’ll thank Him for the storms He’s brought me through. For If I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that He could solve them, and I’d never know what faith in God could do.” The good news is that, no matter how severe the trouble or where it comes from, Jesus will be there to meet our need: “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, ‘Fear not, I will help thee,’” (Isaiah 41:13).
— Randy Zinn is pastor of Russell Missionary Baptist Church, Russell, Ark.; formerly of Okmulgee.
