Joyfulness in Tribulation.
By John Nevins Andrews
THE Christian is called to suffer affliction. "In the world," says Christ, "ye shall have tribulation." John 16:33. The world does not love Christ. His religion is not in harmony with the pride, the luxury, the covetousness, and the wickedness of men. The Christian must deny himself of worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. But if he does this, he cannot avoid giving offense to those who take the opposite course. Cain killed Abel for no other reason than that the works of Abel were righteous and that his own were evil. 1 John 3:12. But it is not the world alone that causes sorrow to the Christian. Satan, the prince and god of this world, moved by hatred toward God and Christ, and by envy toward the Christian, seeks to harrass, to afflict, to discourage, and to destroy every one that fears and loves God. His power for evil in a world that is almost wholly under his influence is immense. The afflictions of Job are a remarkable illustration of the terrible power of Satan to trouble the people of God. See Job 1 and 2. The afflictions of St. Paul are another example of this. 2 Cor. 4 and 11. St. Paul wrote Timothy that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12. He exhorted the brethren at Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, telling them that through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:21, 22. When St. John saw the vast multitude of the redeemed before the throne of God, he was told that these were they who had come out of great tribulation. Rev. 7:9-14. But though affliction is the common lot of all who serve God, there is no cause that any should murmur against the providence of the Most High. All his ways are just and right. He has promised that all things shall work together for good to them that love God, so that in everything it is our duty to give thanks. Rom. 8:28; 1 Thess. 5:18. If the Israelites had not been so grievously afflicted in Egypt they would never have consented to leave that good land to go out into the desert and thence to invade the land of Canaan, full of powerful enemies. If David had not been so cruelly oppressed by Saul, he would have been in great danger of oppressing others when he came to the throne and possessed absolute power himself. St. Paul says: "We glory in tribulations, also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Rom. 5:3-5. This is the happy result of tribulation if grace reigns in our hearts, and if we watch unto prayer. But if it be otherwise, then tribulation produces impatience, murmuring, and rebellion against God. St. James says: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4. The trying of our faith worketh patience if we look up to God for help in our anguish, and if we continue to remember that God sees us. Moses was able to endure because that by faith he saw him who is invisible. Heb. 11:27. Patience perfects its work in us by giving us great afflictions, and bidding us seek great grace. When we are in trouble, God is near us, though it seems to us he has forsaken us altogether. He suffers us to feel the fiery darts of Satan that we may call on God for grace. Every moment of such anguish is precious if we use it in seeking God, for he then communicates to us the infinite riches of his grace. His great object is to prepare us for a place in his kingdom; and as our dross must be consumed and our gold refined, he places us in the furnace of affliction that he may make us his peculiar treasure. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" Rom. 11:33. The case of Job teaches us that Satan cannot afflict us without the permission of God, and that he can go no farther in afflicting us than the limits which God fixes. Job 1:9-12; 2:3-5. The action of the Lord toward Job was full of mercy and grace. James 5:11. We know that God afflicts us in faithfulness. Ps. 119:75. We have therefore the utmost reason to have confidence in God in our days of anguish. We must never utter one word of murmuring against his providence. We must never cherish one feeling of impatience in our hearts. The grace of God is sufficient for us, so that patience may have its perfect work. The goodness of God is infinite. Clouds and darkness are round about him, but justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Ps. 97:2. What we do not know now we shall know hereafter. It is not enough even that we should possess our souls in patience in the hour of distress. It is our privilege even then to be joyful in God. The apostle bids us "rejoice in the Lord always," and he adds, "Again I say rejoice." Phil. 4:4. He writes to the Thessalonians: "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:16-18. We can through the grace of God thus triumph. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Cor. 4:17. Our sorrows will soon end in everlasting joy. So let us thank God and take courage.