Weekend Words

 From Beside the Still Waters...

Inherent Blessings in Trials - Read Matthew 5:1-20, Luke 6:20-21

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." - James 1:2-3

"Dear Lord, my life is pleasant and comfortable.  Please send me trials so that I can be drawn closer to Thee."  Is this a prayer that any rational person would pray?  Troubles come naturally and frequently enough as it is, so why would we ask for more?  Even though adversities are allowed by God for our good, too often our responses frustrate his intent, and they become a discouragement and a stumbling block to us.  Can there really be any good in them?  And more important, what is our response to them?

Amy Carmichael spent forty years as a missionary to India.  She suffered opposition, rejection, persecution, and finally a serious physical injury that left her bedfast for twenty years.  Her response, however, was that every trial is an opportunity to die to self.

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake.  ... Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake" (Matthew 5:10-11).  These verses speak specifically of trials due to our faith, yet the principle of acceptance applies regardless of the particulars.  Ease tends to soften us and make us lukewarm, whereas difficulties force us to depend more on our Lord.  The trials He allows are intended to draw us closer to Himself.

Paul glorified in tribulations, "knowing that tribulation worketh patience, ... experience, ... and hope" (Romans 5:3-4).  These virtues continually need to be refined in us.  With our Lord's help, can we possibly see our trials as intended blessings and as opportunities to die to self and draw closer to Him?  It's our choice.

- Pete Lewis, Halsey, OR

"For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." - Jeremiah 29:11

 From Amish Peace...

A Sacrifice of Praise

"They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison.  The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape.  So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.  Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening." - Acts 16:23-25

Some time ago I asked a few friends, "When have you felt closest to God?"  I expected to hear answers such as "the birth of my baby" or "when we moved into our new home."  But the answers weren't what I expected.

One woman told me it was when she and her children were running away from her abusive husband.  Another recalled a cancer episode.  Yet another said she felt closest to God when her mother and father died.  We want to protect our children from pain and suffering, but often we experience God most in the middle of pain and suffering.  That's when we need Him and depend on Him most.

Are you facing suffering now?  It may be hard to think about praising God.  So if praise is too hard, start with prayer.  Ask God to be close to you.  To wrap His arms around you.  To heal your hurting heart.

We all face hardship during this life, but we don't have to face it alone.  The Amish praise God through songs passed down from their ancestors who were persecuted and who died because of their faith.  If life presses in like a cold, dark prison cell, then sing songs of praise.  God will meet you there.  No circumstance - prison walls or a burdened, heavy heart - can keep Him away.

Dear heavenly Father, I know that when I pray and praise You in my painful circumstances You are pleased - and more, others can see my hope in You.  Accept my praise, even in times of hardship.  Especially in times of hardship.

"God, I pray from my heart that you would forgive the sins of those who trouble me.  And do keep all your children safe, wherever they are in this valley of sorrows - driven apart, tortured, imprisoned, and suffering great tribulation." - Ausbund, 76