How did the majestic oak get to be so noble and mighty, able to stand tall and strong? It weathered both the small storms and the tempestuous ones. It learned to bend with the winds, sinking its roots deeper into the soil beneath it. So also with the believer, “the Christian is made strong and rooted by the trials of life.” (C.H. Spurgeon)
Whether it’s the little or the tempestuous storms of affliction that the Christian is called to endure, let him remember that nothing is too difficult for the One who has brought him from death to life in salvation. Or as W.S. Plummer offers, “He who has delivered can deliver. He who made the world can do anything.” When the trials of life come like a whirlwind and would uproot us, may we find ourselves “Rooted and built up in him (Jesus), established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7).
Trials come at us from many directions, from the government, society, sinful human nature, our maturing bodies, our own bad choices, and we also know that there are times God may allow Satan to afflict us for a season. J.C. Ryle would encourage us to welcome such times of testing as he points out, “There are no lessons so useful as those learned in the school of affliction.” And he warns, “Laughter, ridicule, opposition and persecution are often the only reward which Christ’s followers get from the world.”
If we would weather the trials of life successfully, we must put our faith in Christ alone. We dare not have confidence in our own abilities for we are but frail creatures who only draw our next breath because God so graciously allows us to.
As a trustworthy soldier prepares for battle long before the call to “take up arms” reaches his ears, so the Christian soldier must get his heart and mind ready for battle prior to the time in which his Master bids him to endure suffering and to fight the good fight.
It doesn’t matter if the battle seems to come from the world, from the church, from friends and family, or from within; regardless if the fight seems to be physical, emotional, or mental, it’s always first and foremost a spiritual battle. Job endured all these things and yet he summed it up like this: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…” The answer to every battle, trial, temptation, or affliction is to trust IN Him!
We must build that trust and prepare for the day of battle through prayer, Bible study, devotion, and making our heart one of thanksgiving.
Prayer: Prayer is to our soul what breathing is to our bodies. When one exercises or wrestles, a good flow of oxygen is vital to winning. In our battles and afflictions, prayer is more necessary than the breath in our lungs. Obedience affects our prayers. “Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin will choke prayer.” (J.C. Ryle) Let us always cry out to the One who creates and calms storms, our Lord Jesus. Some will whimper, “I know not how to pray!” Ryle, with compassion, encourages: “Fear not because your prayer is stammering, your words feeble, and your language poor. Jesus can understand you.”
Bible Study: “Next to praying there is nothing so important in practical religion as Bible reading. By reading that book we may learn what to believe, what to be, and what to do; how to live with comfort, and how to die in peace.” “Happy is that man who possesses a Bible! Happier still is he who reads it! Happiest of all is he who not only reads it, but obeys it, and makes it the rule of his faith and practice!” (J.C. Ryle)
When Satan afflicted Jesus, Jesus used the Scriptures to defeat His enemy. We must use the same artillery as our Master should we hope to win the war against trail and affliction. Remember to use the whole counsel of God, that our aim would be true and our defense impenetrable. Don’t wait for the day of battle; use your armor and your weapons today! We must train to wield the Word of God properly and effectively that every jab, parry, and feint would protect and meet its mark as Satan attacks and storms assail us.
The Bible is so very precious; let us keep it always at hand for comfort, wisdom, protection, and a ready offense against evil.
Devotion: There is a lot to be said for reading the devotional writing of past great men of the faith. It encourages, exhorts, convicts, and well rounds us out. Never forget that even in this, it is the Holy Spirit who is teaching. Regardless of what devotional materials one uses, he must always go to the Scriptures to validate the veracity of their writing. (Acts 17:11) Always remember that our devotion is to no man, but to the Lord Jesus.
If our devotional life grows cold how will we keep our heart’s fire ablaze for our Master who has called, “Come, follow me.”? If that become the case, it won’t be long before we hear Him say, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” (Rev. 2:4) May we keep the heart hearth warm and inviting through prayer, Bible study, and “sitting” at the feet of men who have long loved the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let us “converse” with them, thinking on their words while meditating upon the Scriptures they’ve shared, finding camaraderie and strength as we look together, with them, to the Lord Jesus.
A heart of thanksgiving: “Happiness does not depend on outward circumstances, but on the state of the heart.” (J.C. Ryle) We ought always to follow Paul’s admonition to “in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God.” Even in the darkest storms we can have “an attitude of gratitude” if we will focus on the Problem Solver instead of our perceived problem. He is so good and kind, so gracious to us, better than we deserve. In addition, the Bible often warns of the dangers of complaining or having an unthankful heart.
With joy, let’s follow David’s—a man after God’s own heart—example: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” (Psalm 57:7) David makes this claim twice, once in a bad time of affliction and once in a good time of blessing. When hard times come—and they will—let’s remember Psalm 112:7, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.”
Hard times, even death, touches each of us. It’s an unavoidable reality. But Jesus desires to come into our circumstances with an unforgettable rescue. As we put our faith and trust in Him, things will be revealed to us about ourselves and about Jesus. The afflictions that come our way aren’t meant to destroy us; rather, they are meant to strengthen us and root us deeply in the solid Rock. Let us learn to live well IN Him that we might know how to die well when the time comes. Until then, get ready to stand strong—IN HIS STRENGTH—as the winds howl. IN Him we shall prevail!
To read a most excellent devotional written by C.H. Spurgeon on this very topic click here.
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