When we have to go through difficult times

What a tremendous encouragement it is to know that when we have to go through difficult times, challenging times, somebody is being strengthened, somebody else is going to reap a rich reward of blessing and experience of glory. God does not deal in cheap grace. God’s grace is free, however, it’s not cheap! Because someone, somewhere has been involved in the suffering that made it possible.

How often do we sit church and forget that this Book, comes to us saturated with the blood, sweat, and tears of men and women of the past. Those who had been burned at the stake, that we might have this Book in English, and be able to read it. Men and women have been imprisoned, who died in chains, those who have been tortured in order that we might have this Book, we now hold in our hands, that we so often take for granted.

We must never forget that, in a fallen world, there is going to be suffering when the Word of truth is dispensed among men. If we are called upon to suffer, then someone else is going to reap the rewards.

There is always a direct link between the difficulties we face and the joy and glory that awaits us beyond this present life. “If we endure with him, we shall also reign with him.” We do not “earn” a reward; we do not merit favor from God, ever. There is no faithful service which we do that somehow places God in our debt and obliges Him to give us a reward. We need to understand that we do not deserve God’s grace, we are unworthy.

Our suffering is a test of the reality of our faith: If we truly belong to Christ, that reality will always manifest itself by our willingness to suffer with Him; to give up ourselves for Christ’s sake, to resolutely set ourselves against the allurements and temptations of this present age and live a different lifestyle. That is the manifestation of the true Christian life.

However, if we are unwilling to suffer when it becomes difficult, if we are asked to give up something that God does not approve of, or laughed at, by the world around us, then we have to wonder if our faith is a fraud.

When the moment of pressure comes, will you quietly fade into the woodwork, as Christians are under the increasing pressures arising in our time?

If He is in us, we will not shrink back, but boldly proclaim Him no matter the cost, knowing He will hold us safely in His hands until the end.

I’ve frequently been asked, “What were things like in the days of Noah.” Well, we certainly know from the Bible that the people were extremely wicked. Sexual perversion and violence was rampant. We certainly live in a godless age today, as in the days of Noah. When has there been a time in which people did not eat and drink? When has there ever been a time without sexual perversion? And marrying and giving in marriage? When has there not been global plagues, and destructive storms and earthquakes?

While I cannot be dogmatic whether this will be the last generation before Christ returns, I do know we’re closer than ever before!

Brian Monzón grew up attending church with his grandmother. Through her actions, she impressed upon him the power of the prayers of the righteous, as she herself spent many hours kneeling before God, praying for her family and the needs of others. Besides being a pastor, Brian has been studying and teaching the Word of God for many years. He has devoted his life to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, praying with and for others, especially the unsaved. Brian is also a proud father of four children. He challenges them to be their best and has strived to raise his family up in church and on the Word of God. To discover more about Brian and his ministry please visit Brian Monzón Ministries.

Image by DEEPAI