Your Daily Devotional for March 18, 2006

March 18, 2006

 

Joy in Tribulation

By Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.”

Romans 5:1-4

 

Isn’t it wonderful to be a Christian? As believers, we have a joy that’s constantly available to us. The joy that the Holy Spirit produces in us is not one that’s here today and gone tomorrow. In fact, the Bible tells us that the believer’s joy is so powerful that it’s possible to rejoice in the midst of suffering and trials. 1 Peter 1:6-7 says, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 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.”

 

The world cannot offer this type of joy. Jim Loeher in his book, “The Power of Full Engagement,” says that researchers have found no correlation between income levels and happiness. Between 1957 and 1990, the average household income in the U.S. doubled. Yet in that same time period, reports of depression actually increased tenfold. Incidence of divorce, suicide, alcoholism, and drug abuse also rose dramatically. Making more money and having more material possessions will not bring lasting joy.

 

Why can we continue to have hope despite challenges and difficulties? We can hope because we know that God is working gloriously on our behalf. We can glory in our tribulations when we believe that something good will come out of our trials. Every believer can claim the wonderful promise of Romans 8:28: “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.” When you’re going through a trial, you’ll find that what matters is that God has an eternal plan for your life.

 

Bear in mind that there’s always a purpose to our trials. God allows them into our lives to develop our spiritual muscles. He wants to mature us. We are reminded in James 1:2-4 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.” Trials refine our faith and draw us closer to the Lord.

 

We have hope also because we can look forward to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. John 16:22 says, “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”  The more we focus on heaven, the less we focus on this world and the things of this world. The expectation of one day seeing Jesus face to face should be more than enough reason to rejoice!

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