I am certain of two things. First, I am very sure that Christ is coming again. This is the blessed hope that burns within my heart. It is the very keynote of the scriptures. Our Saviour is coming back to earth, not as a helpless babe, a lamb to be slain, but as a King to reign eternally. The second certainty is conditional. If Christ should tarry, I will die. In fact, I may die at any moment. Death is not a pleasant thought. Despite the fact that life may appear difficult and challenging, I don’t want to die. I’ve seen the cold hand of death snatch from us our close friends, relatives, and loved ones. It is very painful, but we are not to despair. Paul’s message to the Thessalonians is for us today.
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. KJV — 1Thessalonians 4:13,14
We are not to bow down under the weight of grief and loss for we know that Christ cares. When we’ve said goodbye to the dearest on earth, when our sad heart aches till it nearly breaks, it breaks His heart too and He really does see.
For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. KJV — Lamentations 3:33
He sees not only the bereaved but all those who are suffering. Christ feels the woes of every sufferer. Whatever it is that may beset us, we can rest in the precious thought, that He who watches over us, neither slumbers nor sleeps (Ps 121:4). His watchful eye has weighed the fire of affliction. The trials which seem so bitter and heavy to bear are for our own profit.
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: KJV — 1Peter 1:7
The purpose of the testing is not to destroy us. The fire is not to burn us. It is a mistake to entertain the thought that God is pleased to see His children suffer. All heaven is interested in the happiness of man. The furnace is to remove the peculiarities of character within us that are at variance with the perfect character of Christ. The flames are to consume the dross. It was through suffering that Christ learned obedience (Heb 5:8), and we are implored to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Jas 1:2-4
God’s ideal for His children is higher than any human thought can reach. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt 5:48. In order to be perfect, we must be tried.
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. KJV — Isaiah 48:10
Thus it has been with the faithfuls throughout all ages. Abraham was tested severely, Jacob had to pass through the night of anguish, Joseph languished in the prisons of Egypt, we all know of the sufferings of the patriarch Job and the list is endless. How did they overcome? They did not pray that the trials be withdrawn but that more grace be granted them. Job says,
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. KJV — Job 13:15
They never allowed their souls to be dejected. David expresses this when he pens down these magnificent words:
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. KJV — Psalm 42:5
What immense faith this is. Faith that does not falter. Faith that has rested and is firm in the Omnipotent One. In the midst of trials, our faith is strengthened. God sends trials as His workmen to awake us from our stupor and our spiritual lethargy that we may seek Him more fully. He may at times allow physical death so as to arouse those who are spiritually dead. When this happens, like the psalmist we shall say,
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. KJV — Psalm 61:2
This rock is Jesus and by hiding in Him we have peace. The Savior has not promised His followers a life of bliss. Their lot may be shut in poverty, hardships, and trials. In this world we shall have tribulation but we are to be of good cheer: He has overcome the world. The life that is hid in Christ nothing can take away their peace. Isaiah declares,
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. KJV — Isaiah 26:3
In contemplation of Christ, all our trials will seem light. Thoughts of self will banish. The Sun of righteousness arises in our hearts and all darkness is dispelled by His presence. The Spirit of Christ will always uphold, support, sustain and cheer us wherever we are. He also convicts us of our sins, revealing the true hideous nature of iniquity, and the ingratitude of our hearts. Then we will mourn for our sins - not that mourning in itself has the power to remove the guilt of sin - rather it leads us to repentance, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” 2Cor 7:10.
We will abhor sin. There will be a conversion of purpose. We will lament over the sin and not over the suffering and repent because we hate the evil deeds we have done, not because we fear punishment for the sins. The soul will long to be pure and we will plead, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps 51:10. Such repentance will be rewarded. Christ assures us, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matt 5:4, “Unto them that mourn in Zion,” He has appointed to give “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” Is 61:3.
While the Christian life will be marked by humility and sorrow for sin, it is not going to be characterized by a mournful and melancholic countenance. We are called to rejoice in the Lord, it is a privilege to be God’s children and thus enough reason to have a smile on the face. A true Christian understands that “The joy of the Lord is their strength” Neh 8:10. Together with the apostle, we will say,
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. KJV — 2Corinthians 1:3-5
Full Surrender