Though Jesus is with you, you could still face a fearsome storm. You may lose a dear one to the icy hands of death, or could face family, financial or career challenges. Your health may fail you. Friends may falsely accuse and desert you. You may face lonely nights, betrayals, and could face all sorts of trials and difficulties.
This does not necessarily mean that Jesus has left you, or God is unhappy with you. In this age and time, we may have heard messages that seem to suggest a victorious Christian life being without trials and lack. But is this the Godly truth?
Let us have a look at some of the things Paul, a servant and apostle of God went through:
2 Corinthians 11:23-27; 32-33
Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.
I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
Paul talked openly about his trials and difficulties. Then he reluctantly talked of glorious experiences he had - being taken to the third heavens, and yet he refused to boast about them. Paul afterwards chose to rather boast about his weaknesses. For the Lord had taught him a precious lesson - “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Oh how blessed we shall be when we understand this concept. How dead we shall be to the flesh! We shall not care for anything except for the Work of God. We will worry less and trust God the more. We will not fall prey to the spirit of Satan which is pride. We will seek first the Kingdom of God and not care whether we receive the other things or not.
Can Christians of today really boast in our weaknesses?
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