In the last fifty-two posts, we asked you to embrace problems as positive. Of course, you have to make sure the problem is from God, not from satan as a result of sin. In that case, you reject them as negative. Several readers and subscribers let us know how much the series blessed them and we appreciate them. We also appreciate those who kept reading even when their hearts ached with the problems they faced. In that series, we said that God uses what appears to be problems to bless us at the end and called the series positive problems. The Bible takes that idea further by telling believers to glory in tribulations.
I looked up the word glory and found it means to “greatly enjoy” or to “rejoice in.” So when the Bible instructs us to glory in tribulations, it asks us to greatly enjoy tribulations. We are to rejoice in troubles. What! Do you remember how we said the bible is weird if you read it superficially? Well, this is one of the reasons the bible can appear strange if the Holy Spirit does not teach you the things of God. Rejoice in troubles? God wants us to rejoice always, even in troubles and tribulations.
Can you do that? Or, will you just disobey God and move on with your life? By disobeying God, you will not be able to develop hope, according to the book of Romans. And yet we need hope for this upcoming year as we close out this old one. This is especially true if your situation is less than perfect. Here is how Romans 5 puts it. But please pay attention to the sequence. In the bible, the sequence is critical.
You Glory in Tribulation To Develop Perseverance
For example, in 1 Peter 5.6-9, the bible talks about resisting the devil. It says “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
Did you notice that? Until you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, you cannot resist the devil. Try resisting the devil without humbling yourself, and your situation will be worse than the seven sons of Sceva. The Bible records that the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them. He prevailed against them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. It happened because they wanted to resist the devil without first submitting to God.
Develop Character as You Glory in Tribulation
Romans 5. 3-5 says, “Not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
In the same way, you cannot develop hope unless you have learned how to glory in tribulations. The Apostle Paul was a master of learning to glory in tribulations. By smiling while going through several recent tribulations, I am learning to glory in tribulations. Of course, very few of us will ever attain the level of Apostle Paul or King David, but God can help us. That is what we see in Romans 5. First, we glory in tribulations, even if we are groaning.
In due season, the glorying replaces the groaning completely. That is when you can say you have developed perseverance. We do not give up easily or ever. Those who give up or quit usually end up with suicide. We must learn perseverance so that that will not be our portion. Perseverance now produces character.
I am sure you know the suggestion that a good character could replace most of our prayers. In other words, if we learn to glory in tribulations and develop character thereby, we do not need to pray long prayers. Our character will speak for us. Next, hope comes out of character. As a man or woman of character, you trust your maker, love Him, and obey Him. Even if the promise tarries, you keep waiting in hope.
Have Hope for the Future
Not only is hope important in spiritual matters, but you cannot achieve what you cannot see by hope. Do you see yourself succeeding at your business? Then you apply that hope and work hard because your eyes have hope. Abraham had hope and so He kept trusting god. And, now, see the number of his children. They all sing “Abraham’s blessings are mine.”
Hope is the ingredient that keeps you going against all odds. I understand Albert Einstein achieved success the 100th time he tried. Hope kept him going until he got it right. He learned to glory in the tribulation of failure; now, everybody still refers to him. He had hope he would succeed and that helped him along. Perhaps you learned this little saying as a child. “If, at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
Trying repeatedly is only possible if hope propels you. How will you operate in the upcoming year? Will you have and apply hope even when the going gets tough? Then you have to glory in tribulation. Don’t be a quitter.
Happy New Year
Maranatha!
