Everybody has challenges and trials in life. But, come what may, the Christian knows the way to peace and joy and flees to the Presence of the Lord. Today’s excerpt from The Kingdom Turn is found on pages 85 and 86:
“Just because those who have made the Kingdom turn stand in the hope of the glory and love of God doesn’t mean they are exempt from or immune to the hard knocks of life. Like our non-believing neighbors, we live in a fallen world. In that world are plenty of struggles, setbacks, disappointments, betrayals, injuries and sicknesses, failures and defeats, brushes with death and death itself.
“The only difference between the Christian life and any other life is the matter of where we stand as we encounter the everyday trials and difficulties of life.
“The glory and love of God are unchanging, as we have seen. Even though the circumstances of a Christian’s life change, and even become adverse and cumbersome at times, this does not alter the fact that the Christian stands in – has access to, come what may – the glory of God. Believers may, under all circumstances and in every situation, slump down into the loving arms of the Lord and find glory and strength to help them bear up with joy and peace through even the worst life can throw at them.
“This is a very real and tangible difference between the Christian life and every other kind of life. We do not stand in the hope that our circumstances, status, or stuff will improve, so that we can get out of this funk we’re in and get on with enjoying life. We stand in hope of the glory of God, of knowing the presence and welcoming face of our Savior Jesus Christ, and this hope never changes. It is always present and palpable for those who know how to take refuge in it.”
For reflection or discussion
1. How do you access the joy of the Lord in the midst of your struggles and trials?
2. How can believers help one another at such times?
The trials and struggles we must endure in life are a bit like a workout for the soul. Working out is not much fun, but we endure it to keep our bodies fit. God works out our soul through trials, for He is in the midst of them with us to offer comfort and joy. And that’s a very different way of life than most people know. Share today’s podcast with some friends. Encourage them to listen daily as we work our way through The Kingdom Turn. Your copy, by the way, free of charge, awaits you at The Ailbe Bookstore.
T. M. Moore
