The Apostle James exhorts us in the 1st chapter of his Epistle, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” James 1:2. Such advice at first glance might appear odd. Why should we be joyful in the face of affliction? The Apostle to the Gentiles supplies the answer in the 12th chapter of Hebrews, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Heb. 12:6. But why would the Lord chasten those whom He loves? It would seem more logical if He poured hardship upon those that despise Him and enlarged the estate of those that fear Him. This however, would not produce the characteristics that the Lord is anxious that we develop. James says, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:3-4. Once again, it is Paul’s words that bring the lesson home, “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. “1 Cor. 11:32 . In His love for us, God tries us that we, through affliction might be made more perfect. As silver is fired so that the dross may be removed, so the Lord tries the hearts of His servants. “The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.” Prov. 17:3.
The Apostle Paul was persecuted severely and tried as he preached the Gospel of Christ. In 2 Cor. 11:24-27, we read of the many hardships which he endured for the Lord’s sake and for the struggling infant ecclesias. And yet what was the assessment of his afflictions, did he look upon them as grievous?” For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Cor. 4:17. If he could consider his experiences light afflictions; what of us?
Our Lord was a man of sorrows and well acquainted with grief. Confronted by the basest of human character, He presented the perfect example of the servant of God in affliction. Isaiah the prophet writes, “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before His shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7.
When troubles beset us round about, shall we be in dismay? Should we lose hope? By no means. The words of Moses to the children of Israel apply to us just as they did to Abraham’s seed. “For the Lord Thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deut. 31:6. What encouraging words these are, words that are designed to strengthen us, if we allow them to, in adversity.
David, the Psalmist, was testified of God to be a man after His own heart. David was a man who knew well the meaning of affliction. He suffered many things at the hands of Saul and yet he remained confident in the knowledge that God stood by him as his savior. In Ps. 34:19 he writes these words of encouragement, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” David knew the value of suffering affliction at the hands of Yahweh, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Ps. 119:71. “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, 0 Lord ,and teachest him out of thy law.” Ps. 94:12.
Let us rejoice therefore with the Apostle James, with David, and with our Lord Jesus Christ if we have the opportunity to suffer chastisement. Knowing that at the time it might be grievous to be borne and yet, if endured, it will bring life evermore and all the blessings that are reserved for those that are loved by God. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One