What should be our attitude?
( page 2 )
Image #1
Now that you know what God is doing; How should we respond, when going through trials of suffering?
What should be your attitude?
I Pet 4 (v. 12) Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; (v. 13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
(verse 16) Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
All who follow Christ will wear the crown of sacrifice. They will surely be misunderstood by selfish men, and will be made a mark for the fierce assaults of satan. It is this principle of self-sacrifice that his [devil’s] kingdom is established to destroy, and he will war against it wherever manifested.[1]
Image #2
Don’t we understand that Satan is the ruler of this world, and he does not want us sharing the gospel with anyone who he has in bondage? If you are obeying God’s Word, through sharing the gospel, what you are doing, in essence, is destroying Satan’s kingdom on this earth.[2]
Do you really think that Satan is going to take that sitting down? Absolutely not! He will come after you with every demon he has, and this will result in a life of continual demonic opposition against everything that you are doing in obedience to expand God’s kingdom on this earth. This is why the Bible promises suffering to the Christian.[2]
II Tim 3 (v. 12) Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
So are you suffering for the cause of Christ? If you aren’t, it means one thing. Satan isn’t worried about you, as you represent no threat to his kingdom plans on this earth.[2]
John 15 (v. 20) A slave is not greater than his
master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.
And of all the gifts that Heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and the highest honor.[3]
Image #3
Matt 5 (v. 10) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(verse 11) Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
(verse 12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Satan flattered himself that he could lead Christ to doubt the words spoken from heaven at His baptism. And if he could tempt Him to question His sonship, and doubt the truth of the word spoken by His Father, he would gain a great victory. He found Christ in the desolate wilderness without companions, without food, and in actual suffering. His surroundings were most melancholy and repulsive.[4]
Luke 4 (v. 2) ....And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward....He was hungry. (v. 3) And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
Image #4
Satan suggested to Christ that God would not leave His Son in this condition of want and real suffering. He hoped to shake the confidence of Christ in His Father, who had permitted Him to be brought into this condition of extreme suffering in the desert, where the feet of man had never trod.[4]
Satan hoped to insinuate doubts as to His Father's love that would find a lodgment in the mind of Christ, and that under the force of despondency and extreme hunger He would exert His miraculous power in His own behalf, and take Himself out of the hand of His heavenly Father. This was indeed a temptation to Christ.[4]
But He cherished it not for a moment. He did not for a single moment doubt His heavenly Father's love, although He seemed to be bowed down with inexpressible anguish. Satan's temptations, though skillfully devised, did not move the integrity of God's dear Son. His abiding confidence in His Father could not be shaken.[4]
The devil wanted Christ to believe that suffering was not part of God’s plan for his life. He tried to tempt Jesus to doubt in His father’s love and care, even during life’s trials.
Image #5
And so it is with us, the devil is always ready to cast doubt in our minds about the care and love of our heavenly Father towards us. Read about his plans for us in this bible commentary:
Every soul who engages to give to the world the message of warning will be sorely tempted to pursue such a course in life as will deny his faith. It is Satan's studied plan to make the workers weak in prayer, weak in power, and weak in influence, because of their defects of character.[5]
If that is the devil’s plans for our life, then what are God’s plans for our life?
The Lord’s care is over all His creatures. He loves them all and makes no difference, except that He has the most tender pity for those who are called to bear life’s heaviest burdens. God’s children must meet trials and difficulties. But they should accept their lot with a cheerful spirit, remembering that for all that the world neglects to bestow, God Himself will make up to them in the best of favors. It is when we come into difficult places that He reveals His power and wisdom in answer to humble prayer. Have confidence in Him as a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God.[6]
Image #6
Why then do we have such weak faith?
I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said, "Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them." I was then pointed to Elijah. He was subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly. His faith endured the trial. Seven times he prayed before the Lord, and at last the cloud was seen. I saw that we had doubted the sure promises, and wounded the Saviour by our lack of faith....True faith lays hold of and claims the promised blessing before it is realized and felt....We are then to believe that we receive the blessing, because our faith has hold of it....[7]
Let’s read what another bible commentary has to say about unbelief and faith: There must be less talking unbelief, less imagining that this one and that one is hedging up the way. Go forward
in faith; trust the Lord to prepare the way for his work. Then you will find rest in Christ. As you cultivate faith, and place yourselves in right relation to God, and by earnest prayer brace yourselves to do your duty, you will be worked by the Holy Spirit. The many problems that are now mysterious, you may solve for yourselves by continued trust in God. You need not be painfully indefinite because you are living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. You may walk and work in confidence.[8]
As we close this portion of the topic on suffering for Christ; Let our thoughts dwell on the risen Savior as you listen to the below music video! video ref. [9]
Back To: Page 1
Back To: Main page
References:
1. The Desire of Ages, p.223, par.4
2. http://www.charis4haiti.com/blog/2016/9/19/suffering
3. The Desire of Ages, p.225, par.1
4. Selected Messages (book 1), p.275, par.1
5. Testimonies for the Church (vol.5), p.592, par.3
6. The Ministry of Healing, p.199, par.3
7. Early Writings, p.73, par.2
8. Atlantic Union Gleaner (23 Sep 1903) “Faith and Courage” par.2
9. Plumb (Lyrics) “Need You Now” Online video. YouTube, 8 Jun 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tivseVZbnY
Image #1: Paul Chappell, (2016). The-devil-doesn't-persecute-those-who-aren't-making-a-godly-difference-in-the-world. Retrieved from https://www.christianquotes.info/images/4-reasons-persecution-is-good/#axzz59MY2WnnQ
Image #2: John Eldredge, (n.d.). Devastating blow to evil. Retrieved from http://faithfilledfoodie.com/?p=538
Image #3: Bryan Lee, (n.d.). Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. Retrieved from https://muchloverose.blog/2017/04/
Image #4: Ivan Kramskoi, (1872). Christ fasting in the desert. Retrieved from https://restoredtraditions.com/blogs/catholic-art/12293129-christ-in-the-desert-at-the-dawning-of-the-day
Image #5: The Quotepedia, (n.d.). God has a purpose for your pain. Retrieved from http://www.thequotepedia.com/god-has-purpose-for-your-pain-a-reason-for-your-struggle-and-a-gift-for-your-faithfulness-dont-give-up/
Image #6: Light for my path, (2011). Why don't we move? Retrieved from http://www.pathlights.com/Bible-Study-Course/YBSC-24.htm
Print 