my cross as itself a present glory. Teach me the glory of my cross. Teach me the value of my adver sity. Show me that I have climbed to thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have my rain bow." What a beautiful testimony! There are apparent inequities in the world. The righteous people often suffer while the wicked peo ple prosper. This is so because the world is largely controlled by Satan who is the god of this age. Even tually Cod will bring the wicked into judgment. He will put an end to evil. Christians can use adver sity and testing as an opportunity to turn to Cod more deeply in faith. SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY Have you ever thought that ev ery Christian is in two places at the same time? As believers we have a temporal location in this world as well as a spiritual location in Christ. In Philippians 1:1 Paul reminded the Philippian saints that they were both in Christ Jesus as well as be ing located in the city of Philippi. Such a dual location brought the Philippians into a conflict. It is the same which we face today. Paul's thrust in Philippians 2:12- 16 concerns the fact that the be liever must feel responsible to the society in which he lives. Christ was crucified by the world; the early Christians were hounded and harrassed by the ungodly; likewise all who determine to live godly in the Lord will suffer persecution (II Tim. 3:12). The world today is no more a friend to the children of grace. We may wonder why God leaves us down here, rubbing shoulders with an unrighteous society having
The secret is found in verse 17. Our problems should drive us to the quiet place before Cod. We may not be able to understand the why and the wherefore of our difficulties but the Lord will give wisdom (Jas. 1:2-5). How much time would we spend in commun ion with the Lord if we never had to face trials? Every son of Adam, Christian or unbeliever, is going eventually to feel the bite of ad versity. God showed Asaph that the wicked will one day meet their de served judgment (vrs. 18-20). Those who have rejected Cod's truth are standing on slippery ground, about to fall into destruction. This revel ation brought the Psalmist to a humble confession of his error. Be ginning with verse 21 he acknowl edges that fact. How good it is to confess the former bitterness of heart. His testimony reaches a cli max as he exclaims, "Nevertheless, I am continually with thee" (vrs. 23.) Trials can make a Christian long for heaven, where he will ex perience no more death, sorrow, crime, or any other pain (Rev. 21:4). Asaph concludes, "My flesh and my heart fail, but Cod is the strength of my heart, and my por tion forever." Someone has said, "Christians are like tea: their real strength shows up when they get into hot water." Blind George Matheson uttered, "I have never thanked thee for my thorn, for my weakness and for my adversity. I have thanked thee a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my adversity. I have been look ing forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross, but I have never thought of
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