Be PatientSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: Patience means the active endurance of opposition, not a passive resignation. Patience is endurance, steadfastness, longsuffering, and forbearance. God's people are to face adversity patiently. "Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy." (John 16:20)
Friend, in the world you will have tribulations, trials, sorrow and tears (John 16:33), but yet your sorrow will be turned into joy, according to our Lord's promise.
The devout Job was a man sunk in sorrow. He was 'blameless', 'upright', God-fearing and 'one who shunned evil' (Job 1:8). Yet a terrible tragedy overtook his life, initiated by the wicked devil, ever vigilant to devour any man (1Peter 5:8). The adversary rose up against Job and destroyed his wealth, property and children. In spite of all this, 'Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong' (Job 1:22). He lived as one dear to God. He said: "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him." (Job 13:15). "But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10).
Dear friend, you may be going through trials, agonies and tears in your life, yet, be not dismayed when God is with you. "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off" (Proverbs 23:17,18). Remembering this promise, what you just have to do is to make your family a God-fearing one; then God will build up and shield your family.
Job clung to God closely, as he knew well the truth, "He (the Lord) knows those who trust in Him" (Nahum 1:7). He waited with enduring patience. God gave the patient Job, the fruit of the Spirit, 'longsuffering' (Galatians 5:22). That was why Job was able to wait patiently hoping that a day would come when God would rid him of his adversities. God makes everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). He perfected everything that concerned him (Psalms 138:8). "Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord; that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." (James 5:11)
At the end, God gave Job who exhibited enduring patience, twice as much blessing as he had before (Job 42:10,12). He restored his health, gave him beautiful children. 'After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations; he 'died, old and full of days' (Job 42:16,17). What a magnificent blessing!
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Testing adversities last only a little while. Sometimes trials come to you only to 'test the sincerity of your love' (2 Corinthians 8:8). But if you cling to Him even while being tested, He comes to you and starts to bless you, His child.
Our family went through this testing furnace of fire on May 21, 1986. In a gruesome car accident, our only daughter, Angel died. 18 years have rolled away, since that horrible incident! Yet, I still shed tears of blood, when I recollect it. God gives me a new strength to forget the agonies, when my mind focuses upon Him and His ministry. He consoles and comforts me, embracing me. Three years after this terrible loss, God gave us a loving daughter, Evangeline. In addition, He has given us three grandchildren. How rapturous it is to see them sing to the glory of God in Good News Meetings.
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all" (Psalms 34:19). Accordingly, God will deliver you from all your afflictions and protect you. He will make you rejoice with blessings more than you desire.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I praise and adore You. When I undergo trials and tribulations, help me to understand that these situations are a test for my steadfast love for You. Grant me the divine gift of patience that I will be able to face all adversaries and affliction with Your strength and overcome them. Protect me from all the snares and iron-hands. Help me to proclaim that after I undergo all these trials and tribulations patiently, I will shine forth as gold. I give You all the glory. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |