pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: hardship


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The Way of Love

Reading: James 5:7-10

James 5:10 – “Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of patient resolved and steadfastness.”

In today’s passage from James 5 we are invited into a “courageous patience” as we await the return of Jesus Christ. As it was during James’ day, it is not easy to live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. The world was and remains selfish and focused on accumulating the things of this world. The pursuit of these worldly things often leads to oppression and unjust systems.

James first invites us to consider the farmer’s patience and perseverance. The crop is planted and the farmer waits patiently and with courage for the rain. In the spring the rain causes the plant to sprout and in the fall it brings the crops to maturity. In the same way we can trust into the reign of the Holy Spirit in our lives to first give life to our faith and then to nourish it to maturity.

James next warns against complaining and judging one another. Nothing weakens a relationship or community quicker than infighting and tearing one another down. There is ample evidence of the cost of these destructive behaviors in our world today. The Spirit of Christ remains at the door of our hearts always, warning against such behaviors, encouraging us to instead choose love, kindness, mercy, and grace.

The passage closes with these words in verse 10: “Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of patient resolved and steadfastness.” There are indeed many prophets in the Jewish scriptures who exhibited great resolve and steadfastness. But more recently, Jesus provided an even better example to follow. This is the prophet to whom we should look in times of hardship and trial. Love of God and neighbor guided all that Jesus said and did. It dictated his decisions. Love brought Jesus a resolve and steadfastness that strengthened him at all times. In all ways and in all circumstances, may love be our guide too.

Prayer: Lord God, the world remains a hard place to daily follow Jesus. The ways of the world are driven by a desire for power and possessions in many forms. You call us instead to desire to love and to serve. Living in such sharp contrast to the ways of the world, we can experience oppression and trials at times. Give us a holy resolve and a Spirit-fueled perseverance so that we may always choose the way of love. Amen.


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Peaceful Fruit

Reading: Hebrews 12:7-15

Hebrews 12:11 – “No discipline is fun while it lasts… however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

In Hebrews 12 the author encourages the believers to run the race of faith with discipline. The author calls the church to first remember Jesus and the example he set. Using Proverbs 3:12 he or she reminds the believers that “the Lord disciplines whomever he loves.” With all of this in mind, we read, “Bear hardship for the sake of discipline.” When we experience hardship, our faith is refined and it is strengthened too.

The author then reminds the believers of how their earthly parents disciplined them “as it seemed best to them.” While not “fun” and while perhaps painful at the time, in the end we respect our parents for loving us enough to discipline and correct us. Through this process we grow and mature. The writer then asks, “How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live?”

As we are disciplined – as we experience hardships, trials, and suffering – we are sharing in God’s holiness. In the end, because God is with us, “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” With this encouragement, the author invites the believers to be strengthened and to “make straight paths.” Doing so they will pursue peace and holiness as they witness to God’s saving grace. Living this way counters the “root of bitterness” that weakens the faith. Living this way, we too can keep our eyes focused on Jesus, “faith’s pioneer and perfecter.”

Prayer: Lord God, in the moments of trial and testing, remind us of the outcome when we start faithful to you: we grow in these times in ways that build our endurance and our commitment. Surround us with the Holy Spirit’s presence, encouraging us and guiding us as we seek to walk the path that leads to peace and joy. Amen.


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Rejoice in Hope

Reading: 1st Peter 1:3-7

1st Peter 1:3c – “You have been born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

1st Peter was written to several house churches scattered across the Roman empire. The faith of these early Christians brought them into conflict with the social norms of the empire. This conflict often led to persecution and suffering. Peter writes to encourage these faithful followers and to call them to holy living, especially during trial and hardship.

After the greeting, Peter writes, “May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed!” The ‘how’ will be unpacked in the next verses. He begins with a reminder that they have been born again. This spiritual birth connects them to God and makes them part of the family. In the last part of verse 3 Peter writes, “You have been born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This hope is present and real. It carries them through trials and hardships. It offers us the same reality.

Their new birth also leads to an “enduring inheritance.” This inheritance is “pure” and therefore “cannot perish.” It is “kept safe” by God in heaven. This protection also extends to this life. Peter tells these early believers that they are “guarded by God’s power” so that they can one day receive their salvation. This builds their living hope.

In verse 6 Peter shifts to their present reality. He acknowledges the “various trials” that they are suffering. This is what Jesus faced and endured too. These trials will result in a more “genuine faith.” And, one day, this will bring them (and us) praise, glory, and honor when Jesus returns again. Yes, we too rejoice in this hope! Thanks be to God for our living hope, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for these now and then promises and truths. In you we find hope and joy in this present life. Although we would never invite hardship, we do know that the testing and refining matures our faith. In the trials, Lord, draw us into your presence, reminding us of the glorious day when all things will be made new. Amen.


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Do We Pray… and Listen?

Reading: Matthew 26:36-44

Matthew 26:41 – “Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.”

Today we enter a familiar scene: Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. The cross looms large. He is moving steadily towards his death. The arrest follows this passage. Jesus feels a great need to pray. He knows that what lies ahead will be a cruel and physically punishing death. The human part of Jesus and the divine part reveal themselves in his prayers.We too find ourselves in this place, wrestling with the promises we know to be true set against the fears within and the lies of the world.

Most of the disciples remain at the entrance to the Garden, but Jesus takes Peter, James, and John a bit deeper in..Jesus shares his inner struggles with these three: “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying.” He then asks them to “keep alert with me.” Jesus is asking his friends to pray with him. Going a bit deeper into the Garden, the human side of Jesus prays that this task of dying be taken from him. Then, fully aware of God’s plan, the divine part prays, “Not what I want but what you want.” There is surrender to and worship of God in these words that are prayed three times.

Returning to Peter, James, and John he finds them asleep. Waking them he offers them encouragement, saying, “Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.” Jesus knows the trials coming for them and the rest of the disciples. He’s been modeling how to face these trials, but they’ve been sleeping. Soon they too will have to decide between God’s will and their own will. We face these same trials. Do we walk in faith and trust or do we allow fear, worry, doubt… to guide us? Do we pray and receive guidance and strength from the Spirit, or do we listen to another voice?

Prayer: Lord God, how often we hear more than one voice. The voice of your Spirit is always there but so is our own voice. The noise of the world clamors often too. In moments of trial and temptation, in times of struggle and hardship, whisper your promises and your love into our hearts. May that whisper garner all of our attention. May the voice that always rings true show us the way to surrender to your will and ways. Amen.


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Conform to Christ

Reading: Romans 8:26-29

Romans 8:28 – “We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Photo credit: Robert Linder

As our passage today begins, Paul speaks again of God’s presence in our lives. The Spirit – God’s constant, indwelling presence – helps us in our moments of weakness. In those times when our trial or hardship or suffering is so great that we cannot even form the words to pray, it is then that the Holy Spirit takes up our case. The Spirit “please” for us before God, lifting us up before God. We too can pray in this way. When we hear of the time of great suffering of a friend, we can lift their case before God.

Because God is three-in-one, the Spirit prays for us “consistent with God’s will.” In this way we and our need(s) are brought before God in the best possible way. There is no selfishness, no fear or worry or doubt, no greed or envy in the Holy Spirit’s prayers. This idea connects to verse 28, where we read, “We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.” God is good and loving and kind and caring and compassionate and merciful and… God desires that our lives be filled with these things too. Yes, the world and this life will bring death and illness and sin and tragedy into our lives, but God works even these difficult and hard things towards good and into alignment with God’s plans for our lives.

The Spirit and God do all of this in order to “conform” us more and more into the image of Jesus. God conforms – and forms and reforms – us into the image of Christ so that we can be goodness, love, kindness, care, compassion, mercy… to one another. In this way we bring Christ to the world. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the example that Jesus set for us. He revealed what it means to be fully present to one another, to love without condition, to give selflessly to the other. That is not always easy for us. So thank you also for the Spirit, that constant presence that points us towards and forms us into Jesus’ witnesses. Lead us to be people of presence, people who pray, people who show up, people who give of ourselves. Amen.


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Pour It Back Out

Readings: Romans 5:1-5 and 12:18-21

Romans 5:3-4 – “Trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

Paul begins chapter 5 by reminding the Roman church (and us) that they (we) are made righteous through Christ’s faithfulness. We are made right because of and through Christ’s work on the cross. We cannot do anything to restore ourselves to righteousness before God. But Jesus can and does. That brings us peace with God. And because we are forgiven through grace, we can and should be gracious to others. Through our own radical acts of love, others can experience and then claim the hope that we have in Christ Jesus.

Paul then rejoices because we experience hardship, trials, suffering. What?! Paul is not celebrating that we experience these things. He is celebrating how God uses them in our lives. Trouble builds endurance which builds character which builds hope. As we endure faithfully, we model Jesus and through this process take on more of Christ’s character. As we are made more Christlike our hope in God deepens. In turn we receive more of God’s love, poured into our hearts.

Shifting to chapter 12, Paul focuses in on those times when evil is the cause of hardship… He encourages an attitude of peace even then. The apostle encourages us to allow God to be the one in the punishment business. Paul then asks us to do just the opposite: give your enemy, the one doing evil to you, give them what they need. Give them food or drink or burning coals. (This last one refers to actually giving them coals so that they can rekindle the fire, bringing them warmth.) By taking the love of God that is poured into our hearts and pouring it back out into our relationships with difficult others we will “defeat evil with good.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ – he who not only became the atoning sacrifice for us but also set before us the daily example of love. In the times when it is most difficult to muster up love, grace, mercy – in moments of hardship… – remind us of your great love for all of us. In gratitude and faithfulness lead us to pour these out, blessing others. Amen.


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Don’t Be Far

Reading: Psalm 22:1-2 and 7-11

Psalm 22:11 – “Please don’t be far from me, because trouble is near.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

This week we’ve explored the biblical witness to the reality of heaven (and hell.) As believers there are many times when we experience heaven on earth. We find joy in living with love and hope. We demonstrate our love of God by loving neighbor. We experience blessing through fellowship in the faith community and through God’s presence in Spirit. And there are also times when we feel like David feels in Psalm 22. In a moment of trial or suffering we feel separate from God, experiencing something more like hell on earth.

Verses 1 and 2 express the separation that we feel at times. Where are you God? Why have you left me alone? Why don’t you respond to my pleas and prayers? These are questions we’ve asked and will ask again. They are an honest admission of a very uncomfortable feeling.

In verses 7-8 David shares the trouble that is near. He is suffering and God feels absent. Others ridicule him and his faith in this God who is clearly not rescuing him from this hardship. Then there is a shift in verses 9-11. David remembers his long walk with God – “from birth.” God has always been his God. Oh yes, you’ve always been David’s God. And you are always our God. So David prays, “Please don’t be far from me, because trouble is near.” It is an honest plea to again experience heaven here on earth. In our moments of hardship, may this too be our prayer to God.

Prayer: Lord God, there will be moments when we feel apart from you. Doubt, fear, worry, anger – they can all create this open space. In these moments, O God, remind us too of our long walk with you, of the many, many times when we’ve experienced your presence, hope, love, comfort… Guide us to lean into you, closing the space in between. Amen.


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A Great Crowd

Reading: Revelation 6:1-8:5

Revelation 7:9 – “After this I looked, and there was a great crowd that no one could number… from every nation, tribe, people, and language.”

In chapter 6 the Lamb opens 6 of the 7 seals. The first four bring the four horses and their riders. Death, war, violence, famine, and disease sweep across the earth. One-fourth of humanity dies. The fifth seal is broken and those who have been martyred for their faith cry out, “How long…?” Given white robes, they’re told to wait just a little longer. The sixth seal is broken, first bringing a great earthquake. Then the sun turns black and the moon red. The stars fall from the sky. All the people of the earth try to hide. They beg the mountains, “Fall on us!” They know that the great day of wrath has come upon them.

The seal of God is then placed upon the foreheads of the 144,000 – 12,000 from each remaining tribe of Israel. John looks back to heaven and sees a great multitude. In 7:9 we read, “After this I looked, and there was a great crowd that no one could number… from every nation, tribe, people, and language.” Wearing robes that have been washed white in the blood of the Lamb, holding palm branches, they worship God. They’ve gone through hardship. Now they will not hunger or thirst. God has wiped away every tear. The Lamb guides them to the life-giving waters. The seventh seal is broken and there is silence in heaven for half an hour.

Seven angels with seven trumpets take their places. Another angel holds a bowl with incense. The prayers of the saints rise in the smoke up to God. The bowl is then filled with fire from the altar. It is thrown down upon the earth. The angels are about to blow their trumpets.

Prayer: Lord God, over and over, Old Testament and New, we hear the calls to change hearts and lives. Today in our reading the outcomes of our choices become clearer and clearer. As we rejoice today in the coming of our Savior, remind us of his ultimate purpose at the end of this age. Lead and guide us, O God, to live lives worthy of our calling. Amen.


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Struggles and Promises

Reading: Revelation 1-2

Revelation 1:8 – “I am the Alpha and Omega… the one who is and was and is coming, the Almighty.”

Photo credit: Noah Silliman

Today we begin Revelation, a vision given to Christ’s servant John. It is to the “seven churches” and is from Jesus Christ, the “firstborn from among the dead.” John writes that when Jesus comes in the clouds, all will see him and the nations will mourn. The Lord God then declares, “I am the Alpha and Omega… the one who is and was and is coming, the Almighty.”

John shared that he also suffers hardship, exiled on Patmos, an island where political opponents were sent. In a “Spirit-led trance,” John receives these words for the seven churches. He receives these words from Jesus Christ, whose appearance is “like the sun shining with all its power.” Jesus directs John to write down these words and to send them to the seven churches.

In today’s reading Jesus addresses the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. There is good to be found: good works, endurance in suffering, faith in hardship, service to others. Some have rooted out false teachers but others have fallen to their lies, following them into sin. Ephesus has forgotten her “first love” – Jesus. To the faithful, promises are made. The faithful and those who change hearts and lives will “eat from the tree of life,” will receive the “crown of life… the hidden manna… the white stone… authority over the nations… the morning star.”

These struggles remain in our churches and in our lives. The promises remain for those who are faithful. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, today we are first reminded of your eternal power and mighty. All glory and honor are yours! We are also reminded that faith is not easy, that trials will come, and that temptations are aplenty. Lead and guide us, O God, to remain faithful to you alone. Thank you. Amen.


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Equipped for Faithful Living

Reading: Hebrews 12-13

Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix your eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter.”

Hebrews 12 continues the ‘heroes of the faith’ ideas developed ch chapter 11. We begin today with the encouragement to also run the race of faith, surrounded by this “great cloud of witness.” This would include those names in chapter 11 and those we can make in our hearts. To run this race we are invited to “throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix your eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter.” Without these entanglements of this world we can better live a life of faith.

The author then turns to discipline and hardship. These work together, one ever strengthening the other. These partners benefit our faith, building us up in holiness, yielding “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” So, the writer says, “make straight paths… pursue the goal of peace… and holiness as well.” Living a disciplined life of faith, one will be drawn towards the city of God and to Jesus, the “mediator of the new covenant.”

The writer of Hebrews then declares that the faithful will receive a “kingdom that cannot be shaken.” Therefore, he or she says, keep expressing gratitude, keep serving in ways that are pleasing to God. Chapter 13 continues to unpack faithful living: love each other, open your homes to guests, visit the prisoners and the mistreated. Be free of the love of money. Be content. Remember and imitate your leaders. Draw close to Jesus and to “that city yet to come.” Do good and share what you have.

Hebrews draws near to a close with a prayer that the God of peace would “equip you with every good thing to do his will, by developing in us what pleases him through Jesus Christ.” May this too be our blessing!

Prayer: Lord God, we invite your power and presence into our lives, equipping us to run the race of faith with endurance and confidence. Remind us of those who have gone on before us so that we can draw strength and encouragement from their example. At the front of this line, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our ultimate example of faith and love. Amen.