Joy in Trials

James talked about joy amidst trials. Paul talked about rejoicing in everything and how God had taught him to be content in whatever state he was. In taking a fresh look at those divine modes of operation, we often hear the instruction that, as believers, we should have joy in trials. Just exactly what does it mean to "have joy in trials?". In our mind's way of thinking, that sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? That is, the two ends of that phrase don't seem to match. We have habitually associated joy with an absence of trials, and trials as a period of time where there is an absence of joy. However, what a blessing it is to realize that anytime we ask a question, God has already answered it for us in His Word. Look at John 16:33b, where Christ said " ... In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." He had just outlined, with great clarity, those things that were to be following His return to the Father. The disciples were, as we are, trying to see exactly how His words were going to work. But He succinctly 'tied it up' with the fact that He HAS overcome the world. That's it!!! We will not know joy in trials unless we have a firm fix in our. Ind as to the temporarily of this life and the permanency of the next one. Paul said, in Romans 8:18, that " the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Again, an eternal focus is the imperative ! Between now and then, we must be sure that we have taken the free gift of salvation through personal faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus, as full payment for our sin debt to God. Thereafter, the all-sufficient grace of God is an absolute promise of God in 2 Corinthians 12:9, and a way of escape is promised in 1 Corinthians 10:9 for those difficulties that seem to loom greater than we can bear ( you may want to re-read THE WAY OF ESCAPE article of 3 weeks ago). May God help you today to know HIS eternal joy in the midst of temporal trials.

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