Picture this hypothetical situation:

A delightful meal.

A host has invited you to his home, and offered to cook you a meal: all free of charge. You sit in a comfortable chair at a table where there is a delicious feast set before you. You can smell the aroma of all the different foods that have been carefully prepared. You can almost taste the food as you bring the first bite up to your lips.

Just then, out of nowhere, the man that had prepared the feast knocks the food right out of your hand, preventing you from enjoying it. To make matters worse, he then proceeds to overturn the entire table, sending the whole meal to the floor. Startled, you exit his house and return back to your own home.

How would you react? Chances are you’d be more than a little irate. You’d probably be extremely angry. Why? Because you had very high expectations.

Another situation

Imagine that you are very ill, and need to undergo surgery. The doctor orders you to fast for 12 hours before the surgery to minimize the risk of vomiting during the operation.

Even though it is unpleasant, you gladly comply with the orders. When the surgery is finished, you are given a clean bill of health and brought home.

How would you react? Chances are you’d feel relieved and perhaps even overjoyed at the success of the operation.

Why the difference in reactions?

So in the first situation, you lost nothing, and had no discomfort whatsoever, (though you were perhaps a bit shocked at the host’s strange behavior), but left angry. Yet in the second situation, though it was full of aches and pains, and inconveniences, you left happy. Why is that?

We tend to be happier when our expectations are met. In the first instance, we got our hopes up about the meal, and then had our expectations dashed to pieces at a critical moment. In the second instance, we were able to bear through pain and troubles because we expected them, and we knew that they were for a purpose.

We ought to expect difficulties in this Christian life

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. -Mark 4:16-17

The problem, I believe, is that far too many Christians approach their new life in Christ as the first situation: a sumptuous feast. (Not until the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will this be true.)We ought rather to view our Christian walk as the second situation: a time of trouble, but with a lasting purpose.

All throughout the New Testament, God’s people are continually sending the same message: expect troubles, but recognize that they are for a purpose.

For Jesus said:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. -John 16:33

The apostle Paul, after he had been stoned by the people and supposed dead, told the Christians: “to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God“ (Acts 14:22b).

And the apostle Peter tells us not to be surprised when difficulties arise for Christ’s sake: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Ultimately, we have the example of Christ Himself to show us of our present situation, and to teach us to have proper expectations. For if the Lord of Life came to this earth, doing miracles, giving wisdom, healing the sick, and raising the dead, and they have beaten, abused, and crucified him in return, what can we—as His followers—expect to encounter in life?

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub [devil], how much more shall they call them of his household? -Matthew 10:25

“Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.” -Thomas Paine

Though we can sometimes appear good outwardly to other men, much as the Pharisees in Jesus’ time, God truly knows what our heart condition is toward Him.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. -Matthew 23:27-28

Another clear example of outward reputation versus inward character is found when Samuel is sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be king. He first looks on the oldest, thinking him to be the one that God has chosen based upon his outward appearance.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. -1 Samuel 16:7

A godly balance

Even though it should be clear that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, the outside is important too. For the apostle Paul exhorts the church: “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

In these two elements, (inner and outer), there is an important balance. The primary concern ought to be with inner purity and character, yet it shouldn’t be used as a justification of a complete neglect and dismissal of outward appearances.

Paul writes repeatedly to accomodate and encourage those of a weaker conscience. In one instance, he gives an example of one who feels that eating meat is wrong: so in order to keep up appearances and prevent the other person from being offended by his actions, he also abstains.

Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. -1 Corinthians 8:13

But it’s important to keep in mind that Paul is doing this from an inward love for another brother, and not as a hollow way of getting men’s approval.

In the end, only God knows what we are made of, and why we do the things we do. Let us be found faithful inwardly and outwardly.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. -Psalm 139:23-24

“You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” -St. Augustine, Confessions

That is to say, within man there is a thirst: one which is seemingly never satified by anything the entire world can offer. The reason for this instaiability is simply on account of man’s purpose (for animals do not have this same restlessness). We were made to be in fellowship with God.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. -Revelation 4:11

God has made us for His own pleasure, but also, we designed to get our own satisfaction from God.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. -John 17:3

And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones . . . And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it. -2 Chronicles 24:21-22

In the above verse, a prophet named Zechariah spoke out against the king’s backsliding: because he had turned his back on the Lord. Yet the king did not hear the words of the prophet gracefully, but instead had him stoned to death.

But what’s interesting is what the man of God said at his death. He said: “the LORD look upon it, and require it.” In other words, he called upon God to bring justice and judgment to the wrong that had been done.

A similar story

Zechariah’s unfortunate end bears a remarkable resemblance to another story, though in the New Testament instead of the Old. Stephen was also a godly man, and he was brought before the high priest. He also testified against authority for their wickedness, with similar results as Zechariah.

The people determined to stone him to death, but what is important is what Stephen said at his death. “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:60).

Two very similar stories, but two vastly different responses.

A covenant of grace

This is not to say that the justice that Zechariah called for at his death was wrong, but it’s simply in sharp contrast with the words of Stephen. And not only that, but I believe that each of these men’s prayers were both heard and answered by God.

In Zechariah’s case, king Joash ended up filled with diseases, and on his deathbed his servants conspired against him and killed him.

In Stephen’s case, a man named Saul (who was present when Stephen died) was indeed shown mercy, and his sin was not laid to his charge. Following his vision on the road to Damascus, Saul went on to become the apostle Paul, the writer of a large portion of the New Testament, a church planter, and a preacher.

In both justice and mercy, God is glorified. But today, under God’s covenant of grace, we ought to show others mercy if we desire to be shown mercy ourselves.

So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. -James 2:12-13

‘Tis long ere time can mitigate your grief;
To wisdom fly, she quickly brings relief. -Hugo Grotius

They say that time heals all wounds, and I believe that this is true to an extent. At the very least, emotional wounds and scars are dulled with time—and this is a blessed gift from God shed upon the hearts of all men, both good and bad.

But while time heals all wounds, just how long will it take? A much better (and faster) way to relief is by wisdom. Through intentionally seeking out God’s wisdom—by prayer, and by reading and studying His word—we can fully understand the situations around us, and how best to respond to them.

Instead of always wondering, “why?” to so many questions, we can rise above our earthly vantage point, and look down upon our situation as from God’s eyes. In seeking and obtaining wisdom, we can comprehend the meanings and details of the events of our life, both past, present, and to an extent, the future.

Yet without wisdom, we simply have the universal “consolation prize” given to all men: time. Time can occasionally shed more light on subjects as we gain life experience, but so often, it works too slowly to be relied upon alone.

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: -Proverbs 2:6-11

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. -2 Chronicles 15:7

Spoken by the prophet Azariah, the words above were meant to serve as encouragement to king Asa. For Azariah had just given a brief summation of the fortunes of Israel: that when the people sought the Lord, they were blessed, and when they turned their backs on the Lord, the Lord turned His back on them.

The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. -2 Chronicles 15:2

And in the midst of this retelling, Azariah wanted to encourage the godliness that he had seen in king Asa thusfar, (following his major military victory), and told him to be “strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7).

The reward

God promises rewards to those that follow Him, though they may not occur instantaneously when we expect them. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

God’s blessing is likened to the planting of a seed. There is a period of time where it appears as though nothing is happening: the seed has apparently died in the ground. Yet in due time, life shall spring up.

The motivator

Having faith in God’s promises of blessing is the key motivator. When we go to work, in whatever employment we may hold, we get paid quickly for the work that we do (usually every two weeks to a month); but this is not so in God’s kingdom. Rewards come with time: sometimes long periods of time.

When we get paid at our earthly employment, it is incentive enough for us to keep on working, being confident that we’ll get rewarded shortly in the future for the work that we’re doing.

With God, things are a bit different. Though He fully intends to reward us for all the labor that we do for Him, it comes in His own timing, which we may not fully know or understand. In order to keep on working for God, and not to faint in our labors, takes faith. We must trust and believe that God is watching and waiting to bless us: in His own good time.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. -Hebrews 11:1

And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. -2 Chronicles 14:9

Here we see a fearsome sight: an invading army, numbering one million strong. And in the previous verse, king Asa of Israel had an army of roughly 580,000 men. He was outnumbered almost two-to-one.

It’s hard to understate the dread that this sight must have brought about for the people, and especially the king. A foreign people, one that Israel was not familiar with, and as numerous as the sands of the sea, comes out of nowhere and invades the land as aggressors.

Asa’s response

In the face of this terrifying threat, Asa does everything right, and is rewarded greatly for his actions.

First, he doesn’t back down. Even though he’s probably afraid, he doesn’t let the obstacle intimate him or send him into hiding. “Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array…” (2 Chronicles 14:10a).

Secondly, he cries out to the Lord. In an act of faith, he trusts that God will see him through this difficulty and hear his prayer. Although he met the enemy in boldness and great bravery, he didn’t rely on his own might, but recognized that if he was to win the battle, it would only come from God’s favor. “And Asa cried unto the LORD his God…” (2 Chronicles 14:11a).

Last but not least, he pursues the enemy and gets a thorough victory. At almost the very onset of the battle, the Ethiopians fled before Israel. It would have been easy for king Asa to count his blessings and allow his enemy to flee. But Asa didn’t let them get away: for frequently when an opposing army is allowed to flee, they only regroup and attack at another more convenient time. “And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them . . . and they carried away very much spoil” (2 Chronicles 14:13).

The difference between survival and victory

In looking through the battles fought by today’s Christians, warfare occurs in the spiritual realm. And we are given armor, and a weapon:

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: -Ephesians 6:16-17

If we’re attacked with a fiery dart from the wicked, and we manage to stop it with the shield of faith, we’ve survived. But if we are attacked by the enemy directly, (much like king Asa was invaded by the Ethiopians), know that the risks are much greater, but so are the rewards.

©iStockphoto.com/sagaYago
We ought not to only survive, but overcome.

We are given a weapon, the sword of the Spirit: not for defense, but for inflicting damage upon the enemy. When we wield the Word of God in prayer, we can have victory, and slay an enemy once and for all. And with it come the spoils of war: an open and unrestricted passage for God’s blessings to rain upon the land.

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. -Isaiah 59:19