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Power in the Dungeon
we also exult in our tribulations.. (Romans 5:3)
A few weeks ago, my bride had to have some dental work done. When she returned, she revealed that there were complications in her mouth and dental surgery would be required. After telling me this news, she asked me what I was thinking. Strangely, a scripture I had been memorizing had popped into my thoughts as she was speaking. So, she was surprised when I said, "We Exult in our tribulations." As a result, we took a few minutes to pray and to praise God for how He could use the tribulation of dental surgery.
It does not come natural to exult in tribulation or to "rejoice in EVERYTHING." My natural responses are to complain, to get angry, or to worry. Exulting in tribulation definitely requires grace and strength from God and an act of the will. Our emotional response to disappointment, failure, persecution, betrayal, loss or pain can take over our thinking and our response. But, we are called to a living and active faith that says God can use any and all of the "bad stuff" and turn it to good in our lives. By God's grace and because of the hope we have that His Word is true, we can sing songs at midnight while sitting in a dungeon after a severe beating.
Our faith is "the victory" and our faith will lead to manifestations of God power to those around us. Anyone can complain and be depressed. But, God's power is required to praise Him even when everything is falling apart. Faith changes things. Jesus' power to heal and to do miracles was affected by the faith of those who heard him. Maybe we don't see God's power "in the dungeon" because we've been forgetting to exult.
"We exult in our tribulations." Yes, indeed, I exult. My sweet sister Leslie died 6 days ago. Leslie was the firstborn in my family, and she was born mentally handicapped. She lived on this earth for 49 years, even though she was roughly on the level of a 4
ReplyDeleteyr old (except that she could read). It is beyond my belief that she is not with us any longer. Weds evening, after we buried her, we returned to my parents' home, where she had died of a tragic choking accident in their kitchen despite their & the EMT's best efforts to save her, and still I half-expected her to come through the laundry room door into the garage, greeting me, hugging me, and telling me joyfully that we were "gonna have a party". This morning when I awoke, for a fleeting second I wondered if it had all been a bad dream. Just as quickly, I realized it hadn't been. Even though I am heartbroken, yet still I rejoice. I praise God that she is with Him now, free at last and safe in His presence. I praise God that He placed Leslie in my family, for her childlike faith, and that she touched more lives than most people I have ever known. I exult over the fact that God is in control and that He knew this was coming. And I trust Him, that He will do some mighty work in my family through this terrible loss. Please pray for my parents, that God will keep satan from them, and that He will complete the good work He has begun in their hearts. People drove and flew in from far and wide to attend Leslie's memorial service. It was like none I have ever seen. Her friends led us in singing some of her favorite songs: I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in my Heart, This Little Light of Mine, and Jesus Loves You. I will treasure all of that in my heart forever. The Latin root of exult means to dance. I had to laugh when I read that, because nobody danced like Leslie! I can't wait to see her again. Thank you for this good Word to us, Gerry. Love to you and Ouida and the kids, Laurie Brown