Joy in the Midst of Trials

Friday, 8th June 2007

This evening, my cell's co-leader lent me an 8-CD series entitled "Joy in the Midst of Trials" by Pastor Benny Ho, based on the book of Philippians.

We read in Acts 16 and 17 about how Paul and Silas was thrown into prison while they were in Philippi. Yet Paul could say in his epistle "rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice" (Phil 4:4).

Indeed, Paul could express joy in the midst of trials.

Another passage of Scripture that is often quoted (and upon which a song is based upon) is "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness".

Guess where these verses come from? Many think it is from one of the Psalms or even from Proverbs. But the truth of the matter is that it is from a most unlikely book -- Lamentations!

The book of Lamentations was written by Jeremiah, commonly referred to as the "weeping prophet" because he was grieving on behalf of his fellow countrymen and his beloved Jerusalem.

Yet he, like Paul in the epistle to the Philippians, remembered the LORD's lovingkindness and mercies in the midst of his lamentations.

James also tells us in Js 1:2-3 "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."

As believers, we should hold on to the promise that "in all things God works for the good of those of love Him and are called according to His purpose" (Rom 8:28).

There is always light at the end of the tunnel for us. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil because the LORD's rod and staff comfort us (Ps 23:4).

Let's press on! Amen?