The word “tribulation” is not in common use today but, to those who read the Scriptures, it brings to mind the picture of great trials and anxiety. This is in accord with the dictionary definition: “Distress, suffering, misery, oppression, sorrow and trouble”. A comparison of some of the Scriptural usages of the word is an exhortation in itself.
As Paul and Barnabas retraced the steps of their first missionary journey, “they strengthened the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God”(Acts 14:22, NKJ). Despite the terrible trials and suffering that the apostle Paul endured throughout his missionary journeys, he never failed in his attempts to strengthen his beloved brothers and sisters, exhorting them to hold fast to their faith in the volatile circumstances of those days.
Jesus Christ himself revealed to the apostle John that the path to the kingdom was not easy. John cried out in wonder as he viewed the amazing apocalyptic vision: “Who are these arrayed in white robes? And whence come they?” The answer was truly revealing: “These are those who came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:13,14). Through the grace of God, the immortalized saints had acquired their exalted state, but first they had been purged by ongoing trials and testing.
Catalogue of tribulation
In Hebrews 11 there is a profitable resource for the subject under consideration. There we find Noah, Abraham, Jacob and Joseph, each with a unique experience of trials and tribulations.
It was not a ‘cruise’ for Noah, locked up in the ark in a churning rising ocean enveloping the highest mountains.
Nor was it a ‘picnic’ for Abraham as he trekked for miles with his precious son who was about to be sacrificed.
Jacob had to leave home prematurely, to endure twenty years of oppression from the wily Laban. Then after Jacob returned home to his native Canaan, there was one misery after another. His daughter got into trouble, two sons committed genocide, Rachel died in childbirth, and her son — the favorite of his father — was lost and presumed dead!
Joseph made a trip to Egypt but not for a vacation. No, it was from the pit to prison for this young man. He endured suffering to the extent that, in some aspects, he was a type of the promised Messiah.
Towards the end of Hebrews 11, the writer states: “Still others had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented… of whom the world was not worthy… they wandered in deserts and mountains and dens and caves of the earth…” (Heb. 11:36-38). The common factor of course in this chapter is the great faith shown by these stalwarts in extreme adversity.
Although it is very unlikely that any of us will be subject to similar tribulations, nevertheless, our individual problems can cause much heart searching and, at times, anxiety and pain.
The right attitude
What should be our response to tribulation? Jesus told his disciples: “In the world ye shall have tribulations but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Being cheerful does not mean delighting in the empty fun and frivolity indulged in by many ‘in the world’ when things are going their way. The Greek word is “tharseo”, meaning “take courage, be of good comfort”. In the vernacular, we would say “take heart”, or “put your mind at rest”.
A lovely example of the meaning “take cheer” is the sad case of the woman who had suffered from a gynecological condition for twelve years. Not only was the malady inconvenient and physically debilitating, but under the Law of Moses it was a barrier to worship. In faith, she touched the hem of the Lord’s garment in the belief that she would be healed: “But Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, ‘Be of good cheer, daughter, your faith has made you well’ ” (Matt. 9:21,22, NKJ). Jesus was telling this woman of faith to be comforted and to take heart, because her tribulations were about to be addressed by the greatest of physicians.
Blind Bartimaeus, as he called out to the Son of David to take pity on his condition, was told by the people standing near: “Be of good cheer. Rise up; he is calling for you” (Mark 10:49, NKJ). Witnessing the stressful cries of this pathetic sightless man and realizing that his loud urgent pleading was preventing him from hearing the Master’s response, some of the bystanders took pity and tried to calm him: “Take heart, put your mind at rest, the healer has heard you and wants you to approach him.”
When we are overwhelmed by troubles and in a state of panic, crying out to the Lord for help, we must try to discipline our minds in order to stop and listen for “the still small voice of God” (1 Kings 19:12). Whatever the turmoil, He is aware and patiently waits for us to approach Him. The psalmist put it so well: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psa. 46:10).
Courage and comfort
There are two classic examples of this kind of ‘cheerfulness’ found in the book of Acts. Peter and the other disciples were punished by the Jewish council for preaching the Gospel. The wise advice of Gamaliel had been to leave them alone. Nevertheless, they were beaten prior to being released: “And when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:40-42). Comforted by the knowledge of God’s plan and purpose, they took courage and rejoiced in tribulation.
Secondly, Paul and Silas were severely whipped for proclaiming the message of the kingdom: “The magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:22-25). What a wonderful example of courage and peace of mind in the midst of severe trials and suffering.
Patience and joy
James, the Lord’s brother, gives another attitudinal response to tribulation, one of patience. He urges his fellow believers to remember the way the prophets had patiently coped with the ruthless treatment and cruelty meted out to them by Israel of old: “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.” Then James turns their attention to the patriarch Job in the same regard: “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord, that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:10,11, NKJ). “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4, NKJ).
It is hard to be joyful and patient in the midst of tribulation; however, we can find strength by “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Our Savior coped by patiently focusing on the inexpressible joy that awaited him in his Father’s kingdom.
We all have anxieties and trials, but let the words of our brother Paul help clear our minds: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:3,4).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One