“Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.”

Job 14:6

 Everyone born of a woman will experience adversity in his or her life, thanks to Adam and Eve, our first parents. We don’t have to ask for or look for trouble, oppositions, trials, tribulations, difficulties or misfortunes, they are etched in our DNA and environment. However, for born-again believers, those born of the Spirit, adversity is a sign that we are a child of God. According to the Scriptures, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (See Acts 14:22b.)  Jesus also, stated in John 16:33, “…In the world ye shall have tribulation…”

Job, a righteous man of God, was certainly a person who experienced and understood the pain of adversity. Most of us know his plight. Satan himself challenged Job’s loyalty to God by causing him to experience a series of misfortunes. Not only did Job lose his children, cattle and servants, but his body was attacked and his friends accused him of being a rebel. During his time of calamity, Job never accused God or cursed Him even though his wife suggested that he should. Job kept his integrity and remained faithful to God by continuing in his righteous stance. Why was Job able to withstand such adversity and still give God the glory, you might ask. He “embraced the grace” that God granted him.

To embrace in this context means to accept willingly and enthusiastically. Grace is the empowering favor of God that aids us in overcoming any and all the troubles that come into our lives. Its the enabling ability that comes along side the trouble or opposition as our assistant. God grants us grace in the measure that the circumstances require. Job’s test was enormous, therefore, God granted him enormous grace. Job passed his adversity test with flying colors because he accepted and clung to the grace that God made available to him. No human being could have survived this test accept for by the empowering grace of God.

God’s grace is just as potent and available today as it was in the days of Job. As you face the challenges and adversities which will certainly come, “embrace the grace” that comes along side of it. God freely gives the grace, but it’s our responsibility to accept and cling to it. Giving God the glory in the midst of our trials and temptations is the proof that we are clinging to the grace of God. In other words, we don’t murmur, grumble or complain while we are being challenged. This is not to say that that we will not shed some tears or reach out for human compassion. For God has allowed each of us to experience adversity so that we might know how to comfort others in their adversity. (See 2 Corinthians. 1:4.)

I Corinthians 10:13, reminds us that, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

My friend, life is a mixture of rose petals and thorns, but God gives us the grace to enjoy the aroma of the petals while being pricked by the thorns.

“Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

Posted by on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014 @ 8:42PM
Categories: Inspirational