Articles
“Why Me, Lord?”
By Don Case
Following Jesus does not guarantee us an easy journey through life. God gives all of us tests just as he did to biblical characters' throughout the Bible.
The Bible mentions God tested people in over thirty-five different passages. God is still testing people today and none of us may be exempt. Troubles and trials are in our past, present and future, at least until we enter heaven. Our suffering may come from God's judgment upon our sins, or Satan's assaults upon righteousness. Sometimes it is the result of our self-inflicted foolishness, a test God allows to help us mature and grow spiritually.
Adam was not only the first man but the first to fail God's test to see if he would be obedient or disobedient. One of the most significant recorded tests was when God told Abraham to give his son as a burnt offering. Abraham passed this test and became a great example of faith and obedience. Job lost practically everything while experiencing some of the most severe trials that men have ever faced, but he continued to trust and obey God. Satan killed Job's livestock, children, and most of his servants. Job remained a blameless, upright man fearing God and turning away from evil, he was rewarded by becoming even wealthier.
Paul was severely tested by the infliction of strips, being imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, a time in the sea and faced many perils. In one of his letters, the apostle Paul said that he had, "fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith, in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."
These are extreme examples of tests God gave men in the Bible. We probably will never face these trials but many areas where we are tested today include addictions, severe health issues, disease, sexuality, bad influences etc... These situations affect us throughout our lives. These are tests to see if we continue to be faithful, obedient servants of Him. God is a testing God, depending on the outcome of our trials, he may reward, discipline, or punish. Faith means trusting God's promises in spite of what we see or how we feel or what our circumstances may be. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord." As free moral agents we will obey or disobey, remain faithful or drop out of the race.
FARTHER ALONG
Tempted and tried we're often made to wonder, why it should be thus all the day long. While there are others living about us, never molested though in the wrong. When death has come and taken our loved ones,, it leaves our home so lonely and drear. Then do we wonder why others prosper, living so wicked year after year. Faithful until death said our loving Master, a few more days to labor and wait. Toils of the road will then seem as nothing, as we sweep thru the beautiful gate. When we see Jesus coming in glory, when He comes from His home in the sky, then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion. We'll understand it all by-and-by.
Farther along we'll know all about it. Farther along we'll understand why. Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine. We'll understand it all by-and-by.
