Ever since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, death has been a curse on mankind.
The Apostle Paul tells us, “…sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned –“
He’s not just talking about our physical death that comes from natural causes, old age or sometimes from unexpected circumstances. But he’s also talking about the eternal death of our spirit.
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When things are going smoothly we sometimes forget about talking with God. After all, why do we need His help when we have all we need? Nice house, stylish cars, high paying jobs…life is good!
But when a crisis comes we call out for help and we’re not sure he hears us!
The Bible tells us that God does talk to us. He may not speak to us through the same clear voice that Moses and the patriarchs of the Old Testament heard. He may not speak to us through visions as he did with the Old Testament prophets.
We find ourselves asking ‘how long’ these days. “How long’ do I have to hold for customer service? ‘How long’ do I have to wait before I can enter the store? ‘How long’ will I have to home school my kids? ‘How long’ till life is back to normal?
Jeremiah the prophet asked ‘how long’ when the children of Israel suffered, “How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, “He will not see what happens to us.” (Jeremiah 12:4)
They’re finally easing the rules, but in some ways it’s even more
aggravating than before. Some are still waiting for their unemployment
to be approved. Waiting in line just to get into the store only to find
there are still shortages of some items and prices are rising on
others. Sometimes we find ourselves wondering when this will ever truly
end!
The first century church was facing bigger trials than we’re seeing
today. Oppression, poverty and persecution by the Romans with no end in
sight.
The Apostle Peter reminded the believers about the purpose of such
trials, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while
you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come
so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than
gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise,
glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1st Peter 1:6-7)
We can see that we still have a way to go before life is back to normal,
but we should remember that these are the kind of trials that will
prove our faith and relationship with God.
