No one loves pain and sorrow, trial and vexation. A plain path, an easy road to travel is what we most desire — a life free even from minor irritations and troubles. The Christian, however, has to be ready for sufferings, for trials — yes, even for tribulations. It is through much tribulation that we are to enter the kingdom. “He that will come after Me,” Christ said, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” It is not possible to follow Jesus in the way without meeting with privations, difficulties, trials, vexations, yes, and tribulations as well.
We are warned against entering on the service of Christ without first counting the cost. Failure to do so must lead on to disappointment, discouragement, despondency and eventually cause the follower of Christ to be offended and turn back and walk no more with Him. What a solemn end to a hopeful beginning if we follow the Saviour but for a time! How solemn to hear those ominous words: “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God!”
“In this world,” the Saviour said to His disciples, “ye shall have tribulations.” The Saviour was not One to engender unnecessary alarm in the hearts of His disciples. He always told them the truth — and told it to them as they were able to bear it. Here He warns them of the difficulties of the way; that the road set before them was not to be an easy one but one fraught with dangers and trials. As He had warned so it proved in their case after He was taken from them. Each had to endure his own share of afflictions. To Peter the Lord had said: “When thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” To them all He had said: “The time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” Paul the eminent Apostle of the Gentiles had to endure much, as he himself declared: “in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” Or as he says elsewhere: “The Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.” What a catalogue of tribulations, yet he could say: “None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy.”
Remember, then, that you are not to expect other than what the Lord has taught you to expect — tribulations in some measure or other as part of your lot in this world. The closer you cleave to Christ, the more resolutely you follow Him, the deeper you may expect your trials to be. “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
What encouragement is there, then, for the people of God in the midst of tribulations? There is this — it is not an unknown path you tread. However deep your particular afflictions may be, however inadequate the sympathy even of fellow-Christians to meet your need, yet there is One who has travelled your path before. He knows your trials intimately because He has walked this way before. What a sympathetic High Priest you have at God’s right hand, “for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” To this One you may betake yourself and find in Him One who has the balm of His consolations to pour into your soul.
Again what consolation in the fact that He is with you in your tribulations and will enable you to overcome, even as He Himself overcame, and is set down with His Father in His throne. “Be of good cheer,” He says, “I have overcome the world.” Rejoice in this that ye are partakers with Him in His sufferings. Look beyond the present valley of tribulations to that rest that remains for the people of God. Remember, too, what the Apostle said: “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace that bro’t me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”
(John Newton)