Troubles And Trials Our Servants
Earlene Davis
God uses trouble, even tragedy to test and prove our faith. Trouble and trials come to us unexpectantly without our being personally or directly the cause of it. Many times it is beyond our control otherwise we would avoid such testing. I Peter 4:12 tells us, “Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.”
We should remember that trouble as well as blessings are part of the divine arrangement in our lives. Also we need to remember that sever testings are not necessarily cause by some sin or failure on our part. They actually are a sign of growth spiritually. We are His workmanship – Eph. 2:10. Some think that Christians should be void of suffering trouble or that it should immediately be removed. That is an unscriptural concept.
What does the scripture say? Psa. 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivered him out of them all.” II Cor. 4:17-18, “For our light affliction which is but for a moment (compared with eternity), worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” II Tim. 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Jesus words in Jn. 16:33, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Rom. 5:3, “we glory in tribulation: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” May we recognize the peculiar ministry of troubles as a servant to assist us. I am reminded of Rebekah’s willingness to serve the camels in watering them. She accepted them and later her decision to go on the long journey to be united with her bridegroom. She must ride the camels, they can be most unreasonable and snort at times. They speak of the manifold trials and testings along the way.
They served a very important function for Rebekah. So it is with us on our long journey here, suffering and discipline are for our good and not to defeat us. We learn to ride the camels that are carrying us to our Isaac. We read, Rebekah lifted up her eyes and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.” Isn’t that beautiful? With lifted eyes she saw Him and not the camel or the rough road.
We also read that at eventide, Isaac lifted up His eyes and behold the camels coming. How suggestive, saints, the day is already far spent, the shadows of the evening are upon us. The nations of the world are preparing for war and are in confusion. Our Beloved Lord is waiting also. Long He has watched the movements on earth’s stage waiting the sign from the Father to go get His bride. Shall we not then water our camels, recognize them for what they are and ride them, knowing they are only the means in God’s hands of taking us to our beloved Bridegroom.
So we lay hold of the truth of Rom. 8:28, that God is working all things together for our good. By faith we discern trouble as a servant building spiritual strength and beauty. With anointed eyes we see the privilege of overcoming and using our spiritual wings to fly above the trials. Like Rebekah on top of them riding them. Then we find His grace is sufficient and we love Him all the more for His working in us. I know He is still working on me.
Apostle Paul said in Phil. 3:12, that he was not already perfect but following after to apprehend that which he was apprehended of Christ Jesus. Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
When the time came for Paul to depart this life, the Lord graciously revealed to him that he had attained a crown of righteousness that was not only for him but unto all them also that love his appearing – II Tim. 4:6-8. May we be looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ – Titus 2:13. And say with John (Rev. 22:20). “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
