Singing In Adversity # 1

Singing In Adversity # 1

Life has its adversities. It must needs have them. Adversity, pain, sorrow, and disappointments - are the lathe upon which God shapes us. They are the grinding-wheel which grinds and smoothes us. They are the polishing-wheel which makes us shine. If we can never be happy until we are so situated that nothing which exists may tend to render us unhappy - then we shall have little happiness in life. Happiness does not come from a life of ease and indolence. Happiness comes from triumphing over them. Therefore the song of true happiness often arises from the soul which undergoes many adversities.

Paul understood what life must be. He went through the cities of Asia after he had been stoned and left for dead. "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must trough many hardships and tribulations, enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). He enumerated the things he suffered in his work for Christ. Doubtless you have rad that list again and again. Notwithstanding all this, no one has more to say about rejoicing, being filled with joy, and singing the songs of victory - than does this same sufferer of tribulations.

The Psalmist also knew about tribulations. He said, "I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy - for you have considered my trouble, you have known my soul in adversities" (Psalm 31:7). God did not leave him to himself in his tribulations. Being conscious of this, he could rejoice.

Jesus said to His disciples, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." Did He say, "Mourn and weep because of this?" Did He intimate that they should shrink from them? Did He indicate there was something wrong in them which brought these tribulations? Not so. He had already told them that the world would hate them. Now He showed them that as a result of that hatred of the world, and also as the result of natural conditions in life - they would have tribulations. Did He say to them, "This will take away much from your happiness; you will be sad and disconsolate much of the time; you will sorrow on account of these tribulations, it is too bad you are to have them?" No - He said nothing of the kind! He told them plainly what was to come; then added, "But be of good cheer - I have overcome the world."

Think of the boldness of Jesus in saying this. Just before Him lay Gethsemane. Just beyond that, the trials before the high priest and Pilate, and Calvary awaited Him.He knew this very well. He knew He must pass through the bitterest of tribulations. Nevertheless He said, "Be of good cheer - I have overcome the world."

What a wonderful example for us this is. He has overcome the world not merely for Himself - but for us as well. As the Psalmist pointed out, He knows our adversities. He knows that lying ahead of us there are adversities and difficulties, perhaps dangers, sorrows, and many things to try the soul. He also knows when we are in those things, when they are pressing hard upon us, when we are tempted to bow down our heads and give us. He knows exactly how we feel, how things seem, how the future looks, how the present troubles us. In spite of it all He is saying to us, "Be of good cheer - I have overcome."

Dear soul, Jesus knows all about your troubles. He knows every heartache, every difficulty, everything you must overcome, everything you must bear. Trusting in His grace, relying upon His help - you shall soon find your heart filling again with melody, for the clouds will pass away.

Paul asks, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Then He adds, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us!" (Romans 8:35, 37).

Speaking of our acceptance with God and our justification by faith through grace, Paul says we "rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2). But are the good things of God all in which we can rejoice? No, for He continues, "And not only so but we glory in tribulations also."

Paul could rejoice in the bad things, as well as in the good things. Why could he do this? Was he a mere enthusiast? Was he a man who shut his eyes to the facts? No, he was sober-minded, consistent, and sane. He looked behind the frowning face of circumstances. He saw the results that follow tribulations. He set them down for us that we might consider them and rejoice with him. "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us!" (Romans 5:3-5). That was the secret of Paul's rejoicing.

~Charles Naylor~

(continued with # 2)