Trials mean pain and problems. When you are hurting, and you want to stay single minded and steadfast, you have to 1) See things God’s way, and 2) Glory in God’s purpose.
In this whole section we have been studying, we see that God never talks about escaping the trial, but rather, engaging the trial. This doesn’t mean embracing the trial, but embracing God’s purpose in it. One of the big picture issues in the Bible has to do with submitting to God instead of succumbing to sin when we are in a trial. We must remember that God came to save us, not from our social situation, but from our sinful situation.
The circumstances of the trial are meant to get us to see His viewpoint (cf. Jeremiah 9:23-24). The poor man can rejoice by remembering that he may not have much now, but he will possess glory for eternity. The rich man can rejoice by remembering that all his earthly resources are temporary, but God’s kingdom is permanent. If you are poor, let the trial remind you that you’ve got a position. If you are rich, let the trial remind you that you’re just a pilgrim.
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“ Inspiring ” Mr. Hatfield, you have an extremely attractive style of preaching. I'm an aspiring pastor and I'd love to have you as a mentor. God bless.
