Recently, the prime minister of the Bahamas said parts of his country, which is just 200 miles off the coast of Florida, were in “the midst of a historic tragedy.” The aftermath of hurricane Dorian resulted in complete devastation over the island nation. Having stalled directly over Grand Bahama, at a speed of 1mph, with sustained winds reaching 185mph, it left nothing but death and destruction, with survivors trying to flee the island for survival.
On the other side of the world, thousands of Christians in Burkina Faso Africa are fleeing from their homes from the threat of Islamic extremists, who told them to convert or die. Tens of thousands in northern Burkina Faso are being displaced each month because of the extreme violence and threats in the region.
On a personal level many of us are experiencing our own private tribulations or trials. We are trying to garner the strength and the faith to make it through one more day, as we patiently wait on God to answer our prayers. How are we to walk in faith when we’re surrounded by so many overwhelming situations?
In the Bible Paul tells that we “glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3). Tribulations refer to physical hardship, suffering, and distress. When we experience tribulation it produces perseverance, meaning, endurance. It does this by exercising our faith. Our faith gets put to the test when faced with tribulations. During those times we will either ignite faith…or ignite fear and doubt.
Nowhere in the Bible does it teach that Christians are exempt from natural disasters or tribulations. What it does teach is that we are to exercise faith in such circumstances. When we do, we have peace with God, through whom we have access by this faith into the grace He offers in Jesus Christ. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). When we exercise faith in difficult times - it produces its own reward (Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Timothy 2:12).
Perseverance in turn, produces character, the quality of being approved. As believers experience tribulations and trials, God works in them to develop certain qualities and virtues that will strengthen them and draw them closer to Him. The result is fortified hope in God and His promises!
And HOPE does NOT disappoint! (Romans 5:5). The hope we have will be fulfilled one day in the future glory we will have with Jesus Christ. As believers, no matter how hard the struggle is in whatever we are going through, we can be confident that God’s love has been poured out towards us, and that He cares about what is happening to His children. In this we greatly rejoice because Paul says, “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12).
So, be encouraged and keep eternity’s value in view. In the midst of it all we have the promise of victory – Christ has overcome the world. One day, this will all pass. Until then, we have the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us to comfort us in our times of need. He lives within all believers giving us never-ending comfort, and HOPE.
God Bless You Today!
The Team at JCM
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