Detroit Mass Choir: “The Storm Is Passing Over”
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Cor 6:4-10 (KJV)
What Stamps Are on Your Believer’s Passport?
Even as a face reveals the emotional and spiritual journeys of a lifetime, so does the life itself speak. Like stamps from various countries on a passport, the life of the believer will bear the mark of being an alien in a strange land. The Apostle Paul, whom I personally refer to as “the Ambassador of Tribulation,” is an example of a life stamped by his travels in this world. The words he uses to describe where he has been emotionally are painful to hear. They make us wonder who in the world would ever volunteer to be a minister of God if being one means suffering the way he did. We are blessed that Paul told us not only what he suffered but also how he endured the things he suffered and accomplished the will of God.
Apostle Paul 1410-1420, Tretyakov Gallery. Image via Wikipedia
Just as one would say of his travels “I have been to Europe & Africa” Paul was “in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings and in fastings.” These experiences are characterized by restraint, all of which except for patience and possibly fasting were involuntary or imposed. These conditions were endured “By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report.” Besides physical torment, Paul was also misunderstood and slandered.
The Apostle Paul endured all of this to show us that we serve God at the pleasure of God and for the pleasure of God. If the ministers of God look elsewhere for their reward they will be disappointed. The word says plainly, that the early men and women of God endured in their labors “As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” Yes, some like Daniel & Joseph lived in palaces and were powerful officers of Kings. Some were like Abraham: wealthy, yet wandering and living in a tent. Or John the Baptist, the son of a high priest who came shouting repentance from the desert eating locusts and wild honey. The warning is plain. There is no guarantee of a soft life. Instead we are told that suffering is guaranteed. Jesus said: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33
May the love of God so empower us all to transcend whatever our journeys of suffering may be, and that whatever glory achieved by our work be given with a grateful heart to our Lord and our God, Who alone empowers us to overcome.
Reflection: Knowing that the comforts of the 21st Century make it difficult for me to understand what true suffering is and even more likely to want to avoid it, and knowing that following the gospel of Jesus causes suffering in this world, what then is my prayer?
My prayer is this: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for being a coward. Forgive me for loving the comforts of this world more than I love you. Open my eyes that I may see and know you so well, that I will have no fear of what men can do unto me. Grant me your love, strength and courage to do your will. This I ask in Jesus’ precious name, Amen. And amen!
Related articles
- What??? (e-graphx.com)
- Patience (Longsuffering) is a Fruit of the Spirit! (jesusmylordandsavior.wordpress.com)
- January 18 – Glory in Tribulations (lelandfleming.wordpress.com)
