PATIENT IN TRIBULATION

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer…” 
—Romans 12:12

IN Q&A 27 OF the Heidelberg Catechism, we read the following words, “What do you understand by the providence of God? The almighty, everywhere-present power of God, whereby, as it were by His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth with all creatures, and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, indeed, all things come not by chance, but by His fatherly hand.”

THIS BIBLICAL TEACHING gives us a God-centered and God-glorifying perspective on life. It teaches us that the world is not out of control or operating by fate, luck, or chance, but that God is directing and controlling every event in this world –the good events as well as the evil. Ecclesiastes 7:13-14, “Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other.” The word translated “adversity” is the Hebrew word “Rah”, which can also be translated: bad, evil, affliction, calamity, or distress.

THEREFORE, WHATEVER WE see happening in this world we have to say, “This is the work of the Lord.” This is a truth we must understand, believe, and apply every day. And according to our text, it’s only when we are patient in adversity that we can truly say we have understood and applied this truth in our life. It’s easy to say, “I believe in the providence of God,” but it’s quite another to live patiently when you’re experiencing adversity or suffering. For this reason, our text admonishes believers to “be patient in tribulation.” The word translated “tribulation” means “pressure”, and it refers to anguish, persecution, tribulation, affliction, or trouble. In other words, tribulation is a pressure which comes against us. It’s like being under the weight of a heavy object –that’s why tribulation is so painful. 

THERE ARE MANY forms of tribulation, but the ones we think of most often are sickness, disease, cancer, and death because these things threaten our lives, the lives of our loved ones, and they exert great pressure upon us which makes us hurt. But there are many other types of tribulation: family problems, marriage problems, money problems, difficulties at school, at church, or with a neighbor, and these troubles put a lot of pressure upon us –and none of us is free from trouble. Job 14:1, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” Life is filled with tribulation. Job 5:7, “Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” Just as sparks fly up from a fire so man will have trouble in life –one right after another. Nevertheless, every believer is called to “be patient in tribulation.”  

HOW ARE YOU doing with patience amidst your trials? Do you become irritable, anxious, or angry at God, or do you rest assured that you are in God’s hand, and He is bringing you through this difficulty for His glory and your own good? Take time today to meditate upon our text and pray that the Holy Spirit strengthens you to endure tribulation with patience for God’s glory and the good of His church. 

Tuesday Encouragement: April 1, 2025
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry