Page 8 - Good News July 2011 paper

od says to burden bear- Their sorrows are wasted. God's intent is unrealized.
ers: “When all kinds of Potentials of rich blessings are forfeited. Jesus'
Gtrials and temptations promise of a great “reward in heaven” is voided.
crowd into your lives, don't Believers have a different attitude toward cross-
resent them as intruders, but bearing. They know that “[God] may bring us
welcome them as friends! ” sorrow, but His love for us is sure and strong. He
(James 1:2, Phillips Translation). takes no pleasure in causing us grief or pain”
Jesus said, “Blessed are you (Lamentations 3:32-33 TEV).
when people revile you and What God allows in the lives of His children - bitter
persecute you...” (Matthew 5:11). tears and heartbreak experiences - isn't easy to
Why does He say that? His understand. But what God does with what He allows
answer: “Your reward is great in always makes good sense. He turns it all for good!
heaven” (Matthew 5:12). Paul attached great meaning and dignity to earthly
Regardless of the reward, is this trials, knowing what they would bring: “Whatever we
not asking too much? To extend a may have to go through now is less than nothing
glad hand of welcome to trials compared with the magnificent future God has
and tribulations? To rejoice planned for us” (Romans 8:18, Phillips Translation).
under revilings and persecu- Tears are bearable when we know that God
tion? transforms them into diamonds. This He promised:
Ordinarily people do the oppo- “God will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isaiah
site. They resent adversities. 25:8), and “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy”
They grumble about getting what (Psalm 126:5).
they call a “raw deal”. Tears are liquid anguish. They speak a language

Some try to cover their pain with God understands: “The Lord has heard the sound of
bravado. They put on a grin-and- my weeping” (Psalm 6:8). God will remember them:
bear-it stance. They dismiss “Put Thou my tears in Thy bottle! Are they not in Thy
every adversity as “just one of book?” (Psalm 56:8).
those things”. Believers consider not only what they are going
We are perhaps safe in saying through but what they are going to! Jesus said, “You
that most people do not respond will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy”
to trials and tribulations as God (John 16:20). Like a clock that keeps on ticking in the
directs. They show no interest or thunderstorm, faith remains constant. We know
intent to derive benefits from what the outcome is - eternal joy in heaven!
painful experiences. [Teardrops to Diamonds, Carl W Berner, Augsburg
For that they are much poorer. Publishing House, 1983].

“…Praise Him, O ye servants of in praise?
the LORD. Ye that stand in the You will learn much that way and be richly blessed!
house of the LORD, in the courts [A Table in the Wilderness, Watchman Nee, Victory
of the house of our God” (Psalm Press, Great Britain, 1974].
135:1, 2).
What a privilege to stand in
praise before the LORD! It seems
to me that today we are always
rushing; we cannot stand still. So
many things claim our attention
that we are perpetually on the go.
We cannot stop for a moment.
But he who is spiritual knows
how to stand still. He can stand
before God in worship while God
makes known to him His will. He
can pause and await orders.
May I ask you, dear fellow-
Christian, is not all your work
carried out to a schedule? And is
it not to be done in great haste?
Can you be persuaded to call a
halt and stand a while before HIM