Triumph Over TribulationSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: Do you lament saying, "Why did the Lord forsake me? Who will deliver me from the valley of tears and sufferings? Be not be dismayed. Lord Jesus will deliver you out of darkness and from the valley of tears and darkness. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Many young brothers and sisters write to me in tears and frustration saying, "Dear Brother, I study so earnestly. But I am neither able to understand nor able to remember all that I have studied. Thrice continuously I have failed. Will I pass hereafter? What will be my future? My future looks so dark and forbidding. Everyday, I am burdened by financial strains. I have no sufficient money to pay my school fees. My own people detest me. I have no one to help me. What shall I do?"
"Strengthen the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in faith and say, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'" (Acts 14:22)
"We glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3,4)
We read in Mark 10:51,52 about a blind man named Bartimaeus who sat on the roadside and asked alms to those who passed by. One day, as he sat in his usual place and was asking for alms, he heard that Lord Jesus was coming that way. He cried at the top of his voice saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" He was blind and lived in despair. When Jesus heard his desperate cry, He stood still. He was moved with compassion and asked him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus.
In Matthew 8:2, we read about a certain leper who came and worshipped Jesus. The world has spurned and chased him out. He heard about Jesus and came to Him in complete faith and said to Him, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Our Lord Jesus is aware of our sorrows, because He Himself have passed through sorrows and sufferings. The sorrows, suffering and tears of everyone who are residing in this earth were heaped upon Him. When He told His beloved disciples, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me" (Matthew 26:38). They did not even join Him in prayer, but fell fast asleep. There was no one to comfort Him in that painful agony.
"And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44)
An angel appeared to Him from heaven strengthening Him, but it was of no avail. He bore all the agony in patience, all for our sake. They crucified Him, nailed His hands and feet. They clasped a crown of thorns on His head. The Roman soldiers who were heartless beat Him so badly that His flesh was torn to pieces. Just when He had acute bodily pain darkness enveloped Him. Even His Heavenly Father who had been comforting Him till then hid His face. So, He cried out, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that means, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46).
Dear friend, Do you want victory over sins and temptations, sorrow and tribulations? Do you often face failure in your life? Do you lament saying, "Why did God forsake me? Why did he make me pass through the valley of tears and sufferings?" Be not be dismayed! The Lord passed through the valley of suffering and death for your sake. He knows the pain and suffering that you undergo everyday in your life. When you cry to Him for comfort, He will remember the travails which He passed through and will grant you complete freedom. Look up to the Lord Jesus who triumphed over all these on the cross of Calvary. He will make you triumph over all your sins and sorrows, trials and temptations. He will grant you His grace to live as triumphant witnesses in this world. Through Christ Jesus, you will triumph and conquer!
Prayer:
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Deliver me from the valley of tears and suffering. Relieve me from all my weakness and sicknesses. Forgive my failures and sins. Grant me victory over all failures and challenges of life. Grant me Your grace to overcome all of them. May everything that I do bring glory to Your matchless name. In Jesus' mighty name, I ask.
Amen. |