God’s Word is so clear when it comes to preparing us for the realities of life. It’s all there – everything we need to know about how to live when good things happen, and how to live when bad things happen. It seems to be part of our nature to want to major on the pleasant and positive promises of the Bible and fly over the areas we prefer not to think about.
I Peter 4:12, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:”
The wording of this verse is ominous. A fiery trial sounds like a serious problem, not just a minor inconvenience. It sounds scary and hurtful. Notice that God doesn’t say if. He is saying when it occurs we should not be surprised. The Scriptures goes on to say in verse 13, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
II Timothy 3:12 is a clear statement by God Himself to Christians – “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” If we are living the way we ought to for the Lord – witnessing and being a godly testimony, God says we will suffer persecution. He has told us what to expect and therefore these happenings should not trigger a long list of ‘whys’ on our part. We should rejoice because God has promised us victory and blessing because we are living the way that He desires for us to live.
We should not become bitter and disheartened because of trials and persecutions. Instead, we need to follow the example of the apostles in Acts 5:41,42, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
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