We find some of the Lord's servants in the Bible had problems in their lives, but God was glorified through these hindrances.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelation, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
The Apostle Paul had a physical infirmity come upon him. Some have speculated that it was a problems with his eyes, others have said his legs; it doesn't really matter what the problem was, we just know that he asked the Lord to remove it from him. The passage we just read says that he asked the Lord thrice to take it from him, but God said no. God answered Paul and said that His grace would be sufficient. Have you stopped to consider that the limitations you might have are allowed by the Lord in order that you and those around might see His grace in your life? His strength is shown through our weaknesses! Our disabilities can be an avenue of testimony to the world! Paul learned to appreciate his "thorn in the flesh" because through it he saw the power of God in his life.
Not all problems that God allows into our lives are physical. Sometimes devastating things can happen in a believer's life. It should cause them to draw closer to God, and show to others that are witnessing these events, the power of God.
John 11:1,4 & 5 "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. When Jesus heard that, he said, this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus."
Mary, Martha and Lazarus were personal friends of Jesus, it says that Jesus loved them. When Lazarus died it says that Jesus wept (verse 35). This was a devastating event that this dear family passed through. Jesus allowed Lazarus to die in order that His power as the Son of God might be revealed. Many of us have walked "through the valley of the shadow of death" with loved ones; we understand the grief these sisters were feeling at the loss of their beloved brother.
John 11:41-45 "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid, and Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard me. And I knew that Thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent me. And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on Him."
I 've tried to imagine what it would have been like to be there that day and see Lazarus come up out of that grave! I've heard it said that if Jesus hadn't specified the name Lazarus, that every grave would have opened up! The power of the Almighty God was shown through the suffering of those that He loved. Are we allowing the power of God to be shown in our lives through the suffering that He lovingly permits? No matter what kind of suffering we go through, it's meant to point the world to Christ. What are we showing the world? Are we a breeding ground for self-pity, and do we nurse a "woe is me" attitude, or is the love, grace and mercy of our Savior evident in our responses to the trials and difficulties in our lives?
Last year I lost a very close and dear friend to cancer. David was only in his forty's. As this terrible disease ravaged his poor body it seemed like his testimony for the Lord got brighter and stronger. David radiated the grace and peace of the Lord to all he came in contact with during his illness. Those around saw God's strength made perfect in weakness. Through David's death many lives were touched because of the radiant testimony he had right up until the Lord took him home. He was a man of great faith, and he had a sweet trust in his Lord. He shared with me about the days of discouragement he went through, but he clung to his Savior and was able to testify that he had perfect peace with what God was allowing. He has left a Godly example of how to deal with harsh trials in your life.
We all know the story of Job in the Old Testament. God allowed Job to lose his whole family, his wealth, all that he possessed and finally his health. In verse 22 of chapter 1 of Job we read, "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." Job kept a testimony through all that happened that praised and glorified God.
What's happening in your life today. Are you allowing the trials of this life to beat you down, or are you allowing the power and grace of God to uphold you and to show to the world what a wonderful Savior you serve? Life can be harsh. Trails can be very hard to bear; but the God who allowed these things into your life is the God that can bring you victoriously through them. The promise that God made to the Apostle Paul is the same promise that you as His child can claim today. "My grace is sufficient for thee..."
God allows us to go through tough things so that we can be an encouragement and help for others who will come across our paths later, going through the same trials. We can minister and witness to them of the unfailing faithfulness of our Lord in the midst devastating circumstances.
Psalms 84:6 "Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools."
My Pastor showed me this verse one day. He explained that this Valley of Baca was a very dry, arid place. Travelers would often dig a well, not only for themselves, but it would remain a place for other travelers coming after them to be refreshed. Our trials, and what we allow God to make of them in our lives are to be a source of renewal and encouragement for others that will face the same problems in their lives. Also, notice that this verse says, "passing through." These hard times will not last forever, they will pass.
Are you digging wells of encouragement and hope, or are you just stumbling along, with resentment towards God for allowing unpleasant, hurtful and sometimes crushing things in your life? Don't waste the opportunities to show the grace and mercy of God to a lost world. Get busy digging those wells in the valley's of your life!
Psalms 59:16 "But I will sing of Thy power; yea, I will sing about of Thy mercy in the morning: for Thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble."
I have been thru the valley of weeping,
Thru the valley of sorrow and pain;
But the God of all comfort was with me,
By His hand to uphold and sustain.
As the earth needs the clouds and the sunshine,
So the soul needs both sorrow and joy;
And when God puts His gold in the furnace,
He intends all its dross to destroy.
As we travel thru life's shadowed valley,
The fresh springs of His love ever rise;
And we learn that our sorrows and losses
Are all blessings God sent in disguise.
So I'll follow wherever God leads me,
In the darkness His Word lights my way:
I have proof that the Lord can give comfort,
And His grace can give strength for each day.
Margaret Fishback Powers & Frank Garlock
Thru the valley of sorrow and pain;
But the God of all comfort was with me,
By His hand to uphold and sustain.
As the earth needs the clouds and the sunshine,
So the soul needs both sorrow and joy;
And when God puts His gold in the furnace,
He intends all its dross to destroy.
As we travel thru life's shadowed valley,
The fresh springs of His love ever rise;
And we learn that our sorrows and losses
Are all blessings God sent in disguise.
So I'll follow wherever God leads me,
In the darkness His Word lights my way:
I have proof that the Lord can give comfort,
And His grace can give strength for each day.
Margaret Fishback Powers & Frank Garlock
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