TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
A subject that causes discouragement and anxiety to most believers. Why do we have them? Where do they come from? what is the answer? Nobody is exempt from them, whether great or small, old or young, all suffer alike. Believers and unbelievers suffer alike.
Where do they come from? There are three sources.
1. Demonic activity and attacks upon the person.
2. Human behaviour.
3. Our actions and conduct.
Christian lives are not trouble free but subject to attacks from Satan-1 Peter 5:8.
Job's trials show us clearly how Satan can afflict believers but this is not always evident-Job 1:6-12. We also notice that God allows tribulation sometimes in our lives. Satan can only go so far, by God's permission.
Here are some reasons why God permits troubles in our lives.
a. As a test of Faith-1 Peter 1:6-7, Job 1:21.
b. As a test of Faith, but chastisement is not punitive but remedial and corrective-Psalm 119:67, Revelation 3:19.
c. As a purifier of Faith and developer of Christian character-Job 23:10.
d. That we may be privileged to obtain eternal rewards-James 1:12, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
Here, on this earth, we live in enemy territory. Satan hates us and is out to destroy us and the Church. We are caught in the middle of the battle but God is able to deliver us and protect us.
We are asked therefore to 'Stand' and put on God's protection that He has provided for us. This is our responsibility-Ephesians 6:13(14).
There are times when we shall feel weary and be tempted to think that God has abandoned us. We
shall feel defeated and want to give up but God encourages us-Isaiah 40:27-31.
A subject that causes discouragement and anxiety to most believers. Why do we have them? Where do they come from? what is the answer? Nobody is exempt from them, whether great or small, old or young, all suffer alike. Believers and unbelievers suffer alike.
Where do they come from? There are three sources.
1. Demonic activity and attacks upon the person.
2. Human behaviour.
3. Our actions and conduct.
Christian lives are not trouble free but subject to attacks from Satan-1 Peter 5:8.
Job's trials show us clearly how Satan can afflict believers but this is not always evident-Job 1:6-12. We also notice that God allows tribulation sometimes in our lives. Satan can only go so far, by God's permission.
Here are some reasons why God permits troubles in our lives.
a. As a test of Faith-1 Peter 1:6-7, Job 1:21.
b. As a test of Faith, but chastisement is not punitive but remedial and corrective-Psalm 119:67, Revelation 3:19.
c. As a purifier of Faith and developer of Christian character-Job 23:10.
d. That we may be privileged to obtain eternal rewards-James 1:12, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
Here, on this earth, we live in enemy territory. Satan hates us and is out to destroy us and the Church. We are caught in the middle of the battle but God is able to deliver us and protect us.
We are asked therefore to 'Stand' and put on God's protection that He has provided for us. This is our responsibility-Ephesians 6:13(14).
There are times when we shall feel weary and be tempted to think that God has abandoned us. We
shall feel defeated and want to give up but God encourages us-Isaiah 40:27-31.
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