What’s Good About Tribulation?
The gospel message is both good news and bad news. Jesus said, In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. The world surrounds us with tribulation. Tribulation is characterized by mental pressure, pain, suffering, and trying situations that cause mental anguish. According to Ephesians 6, we are in the midst of a spiritual battle. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness from on high.
Here’s the bad news: Life is hard. In this world we will have tribulation. Everyone dies. The heart of man is desperately wicked…who can understand it? In 2 Timothy 3, we’re reminded what men are like in the last days. 2 Timothy 3: “THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Many Christians have memorized Galatians 5:22 about the fruit of the spirit. Pete remembers when he was leading a chapel service for his ball team, he intended to share this verse. He said, “when I was a child, I never thought I would ever do the things that I did in college.” One player said, “things like what?” Pete turned to Galatians 5 and read verses 19-21: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Pete asked the player, “does that answer your question?” His only response was, “Oh!” He was left speechless.
Here’s the good news: Romans 8:38-39 says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 6 says, “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might… that you may be able to stand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.”
God has given us everything that we need to stand against the schemes of the devil. The enemy is not the person who opposes you. The enemy is the devil and his legions of fallen angels: spiritual wickedness from on high. The two names of the adversary are the devil, the accuser, and Satan, the deceiver. His scheme is to take men of God off the playing field…to shut their mouths, remove their testimony and relegate them into insignificance. The battlefield is in the mind. He will remind you that you’re not wise enough, strong enough, rich enough….that you’re just not good enough. His tools are discouragement, doubt, worry, and fear. The battle is for our hearts and minds.
According to Ephesians 6:10-13: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Today is the evil day. Standing firm is to stand for the truth of the Word of God….to believe that we are who God says we are…sons of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom we shine as lights in a world of darkness.
Gods instructs us to take up the whole Armor of God. Verse 14 says, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”
The truth of the Word tells us who we are in Christ. Because Jesus Christ who was without sin payed the price for sin on our behalf, we can put on the breastplate of righteousness. We have been made the righteousness of God in him. The breastplate of righteousness protects our heart. When God sees us, there is no condemnation, for he has made us righteous in Christ. He sees the heart of Christ in us the hope of glory. When we understand who we are in Christ, then we can pray with Christ’s heart behind our heart.
Verse 15 says, “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”. There is no peace without the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. He said, “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Peace is the end of all strife with God. We have peace because Jesus Christ reconciled us….he brought together that which had been separated. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4 says, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Continuing in Ephesians 6:16, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (one.”) The hall of faith in Hebrews 12 is filled with believers who stood fast despite trials. They all came to the conclusion as did the Apostle Paul, “thy strength is made perfect in my weakness. Thy grace is sufficient for me.”
Romans 8:28 says, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” How do we know that he works all things together for good? How do we know that good will come from our trials and tribulations?
This is a hard lesson. Pete recalls that when his wife was in the delivery room in labor with their second son, the doctors came into the fathers waiting room and said, ” we’re losing the baby’s heartbeat.” Pete prayed, “Lord, please save my wife and baby.” God answered, “How much control do you have over this situation?” Pete replied, “none.” Then God asked, “no matter the outcome of this situation, will you still love, honor, and serve me?” Pete answered, “No matter what, I’ll still love, honor, and serve you.” Then the doctors came back into the waiting room and said, “we lost the baby.” God had prepared Pete’s heart for this news. Pete and Suzan grew closer to God as a result of this trial. They learned Suzan’s life motto: Joy is not the absence of pain. Rather, Joy is the presence of the Lord.
What good is tribulation? According to Romans 5, tribulation worketh patience and patience experience, and experience hope. And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.
The book that led Pete to dedicate his life to Christ, The Bobby Richardson Story, ends with a poem. “Oscars or the Hall of Fame may never come your way. Your name inscribed within God’s book is greater than all praise. I’d rather be unknown down here, and have my name up there.”
The chorus to the song by Casting Crowns says, “I don’t care if they remember me. I don’t want to leave a legacy. Only Jesus!” He alone is our strength and sufficiency in all things. He alone is worthy of praise.
Despite the trials and tribulation of this world, May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael