Most of us in the United States enjoy great blessing. Even the poorest among us rank highly in terms of quality of life compared to most of the rest of the worlds billions of terribly poor people. We are for the most part enjoying prosperity rather than enduring persecution.
Even our western U.S. version of the Christian faith seems, in many cases, to promise nothing but good for the believer. Faith is sometimes taught as the ticket to a carefree, blessed and prosperous life. Many teachers imply we should give in order to get. That we should never expect to experience any pain or loss or sickness. This theology is not found in scripture.
Take for an example Joseph, one of Jacob’s twelve sons. He was hated by his brothers because he was favored by his father Jacob. They cast him into a pit and left him for dead. He was picked up by a passing caravan and sold in Egypt as a slave where he served many years with distinction. One day he was approached by his master’s wife who wanted to lie with him. He refused, but she accused him of attempted rape. So, he ended up spending about 13 years in jail! Eventually he was released and a series of events caused him to be exalted to second in command in Egypt.
As another example, take the prophet Daniel who was a devout and respected member of the Babylonian and Medo-Persian courts after he was taken captive as a young boy from Judah. He was set-up by those around him who were jealous of the favor he had with the leader, and as a result was placed into the lion’s den to be killed – but God protected him.
Take the thousands of Christians who were burned at the stake, made to be human torches in Rome, thrown to the lions and boiled in oil. Or the many millions of Christians today who live in countries where they are constantly in fear for their lives, and are often martyred.
Even Jesus Himself, the very Son of God, had to be made into a man, live on the earth under primitive conditions, and then suffer the worst death known to man at the time – crucifixion. And that was after severe whipping and beating.
The point of all of this?
If you have challenges in your life, fight the good fight. Do not interpret your circumstances to mean God is not with you. Have faith, and keep on going!
Even the famous Apostle Paul in 2 Cor 11 suffered enormous tribulation while going around the known world preaching the gospel and making new converts of the gentiles as he was commanded. 23: Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
It is a lie to believe being a Christian will make you free of all life’s challenges. Keep praying and believing if trouble comes upon you. If you are blessed, remember your obligation to help others. Call upon the Lord to protect you and to get you through if evil comes near. He will. We become Christians to serve the Lord and to be with Him forever. Our tribulations now are light compared to the eternal glory which is ours in Christ Jesus.
