Exult in Tribulations?
Romans 5:3-5 (NASB)
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Exulting in tribulations has never been my strong suit. I tend to wear my feelings on my sleeve, so when I am having a rough day you are likely to know about it. Like you, I have had some very dark and difficult days. To live in this fallen world is truly to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Even so, the truth of Romans five verse three has begun making inroads into my psyche. I am learning that Father is faithful in tribulation and it is not wasted.
I have always found the series of virtues listed here interesting. There is a clear progression: perseverance, proven character, and hope.
Tribulation brings about perseverance. That is not what I want to hear, but as I sit here in my sixties, I know for sure that it is the truth. Father graciously teaches us to hang in there, to continue to trust Him, even when it feels as though the darkness will never end. It is such a beneficial lesson. Learning to persevere and simply know that no matter how things appear, Father is in us and with us and for us, solidifies our faith. Over time this makes us more certain that we will be able to stand through the storms.
It also has a positive influence upon our character. As we come to trust more readily, we find it more natural to continue acting like the righteous children God has made us. I am not saying that we do not get irritable or that we never act badly during tribulation, but we can expect to do so with less frequency, and less intensity. What is even more amazing about this is that it is not something that we do in our own power. It is dependency on Jesus that produces the change.
Father promised He would make such inner changes in Ezekiel 36:27 (NASB), “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. Because He is at work for good in every situation (see Romans 8:28) we mature and the excellent character we have received from God is evidenced to His glory and praise. In this way, perseverance brings about proven character. Proven character has the wonderful benefit of bringing about hope. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for.” This assurance comes as we see Father training us through tribulation again and again. As we begin to see the growth and maturity Father produces in us as we walk together through the valley of the shadow, our faith becomes surer and our hope becomes more concrete.
Hope is particularly important because it benefits both us and those with whom we interact. Hebrews 6:18-19 tell us that God made an oath with Himself so that “we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast.” Amid tribulation, we learn to take refuge in Jesus by faith. This is one great benefit we get from hope. As citizens of the Kingdom not made with hands, we can see through the confusion and disarray, the calamity and division, and the cacophony and disease to the inheritance that is ours. We can see that, because we are no longer of this world, we are able to remain at peace, display godly character, and bring hope to others.
We are free to find ourselves, perhaps unexpectedly, ready to give an answer to those who are curious (see 1 Peter 3:15) about why we are not overly concerned with the storms that surround us. Hope does not disappoint. Rather it results in inner peace for us and the ability to love those around us and invite them to share in the benefits of life in Christ. We are given the desire for such godliness because the love of God is poured all over our soft and loving new hearts.
Watching Father at work in us has a profound impact. We still may not enjoy tribulation. We will still sometimes succumb to the temptation to believe our senses about the state of our lives, our country, and the world. At the same time, we can exult in the knowledge all there is to be gained as we walk through tribulation here in the valley of the shadow of death together with our lovely Lord Jesus, our Heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit of God.
There is another global pandemic going on. It is very contagious. Take no precautions. That way people everywhere will come down with it. Give them full exposure to eternal life in Jesus Christ. Everyone who has the Spirit within them is a carrier.
Grace and peace to you.
Larry
