“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer…” (Romans 12:12).
Why is life filled with so many problems? The first reason is simple … sin! Sin is the reason for the tribulation and trials in our lives. Before Adam fell into sin there was no sickness, disease or death … no troubles! Tribulation immediately began after the fall of man. We read in Genesis 3 that the woman’s child-bearing will be filled with pain and sorrow as a result of sin. We also read that the ground is cursed because of man’s sin, and it now bears thorns and thistles. As a result of sin, man now sweats in order to provide food for his family.
But believers also have tribulation because of the hatred of the world. John 15:19-20: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” In other words, if you’re faithful to Christ’s Word by standing for the truth you will be persecuted by the unbelieving world. 2 Timothy 3:12: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
But there’s another reason for our tribulation. God is ultimately the source of all our troubles and difficulties. If we believe God rules and governs everything in this world then when we get sick or when a loved one dies we have to say, “This is the Lord’s will … this is what God has brought to pass.” That’s Job’s confession: “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10). Notice also what David says in 2 Samuel 16:10-11 when he’s being cursed by Shimei: “So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?'” And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him.” We also read in Amos 3:6: “Shall the trumpet be blown in a city, and the people not be afraid? Shall evil befall a city, and Jehovah hath not done it?” And the Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 26, declares “…that whatever evil He sends upon me in this troubled life, He will turn to my good; for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing also being a faithful Father.”
Ultimately God sends all the tribulation that comes into our lives and He does so for His glory and the good of every believer (Isaiah 43:7; Romans 8:28). And we must understand and believe this truth if we are going to respond biblically to the trials that inevitably come upon us. According to our text, we are called to be “patient in tribulation.” The word “patient” literally means “to remain, to persevere or to endure.” In other words, our calling as believers when we suffer tribulation is to persevere with a calm courage that trusts God. To be patient in tribulation does not mean inactivity … notice that our text also exhorts believers to “rejoice in hope, and continue steadfastly in prayer.” Are you going through tribulation? Then rejoice in hope because hope in God never disappoints, and continue steadfast in prayer to God expressing your love, your need, and your thanksgiving to Him.