August 18
"I am filled with comfort.
I am
exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation."
2 Corinthians
7:4
The apostle Paul suffered greatly in his ministry -
rejections, imprisonment, beatings, even having been left for dead.
Read 2 Corinthians 11:24-29 to learn the extent to which he suffered,
it's incredible. Yet he rejoices no matter what tribulation assails
him.
It's hard to imagine how anyone can be joyful in
tribulation. Paul had a wisdom not many have, a perspective rare among
men. But he knew that God takes every suffering and works it out to
become something good.
"And we know that ALL things work
together for good
to those who love God, to those who are the
called
according to his purpose."
In all our various
trials and tribulations, let us try to grasp the truth that our God
truly WILL make all things happening in our lives to work together
for good. It's hard to get there when you're in the midst of
suffering, it's something to actually ASK God's help in. But we need
to get to where, in this assurance, we can rejoice regardless what
the devil throws against us. In this is a great demonstration of the
power of faith, overcoming the human reactions to trials and looking
through the perspective of faith and promise.
1 comment:
Joy is very much a spiritual fruit and thus becomes part of the abiding just like Christ and His Spirit abiding in us. I can bet Paul was not HAPPY about His circumstances, and yet because they were coming at Him due to His love of the Lord and the Word, the inner JOY couldn't be removed! This is a great message Sis. Thank You. God Bless!
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