Enduring Trials

KEY VERSE: “There hath no temptation [trial] taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted [tried] above that ye are able; but will with the temptation [trial] also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” —I Corinthians 10:13

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: I Corinthians 1:10-17

AS FOOTSTEP FOLLOWERS of Jesus we have learned from the Scriptures that we are to develop and maintain endurance in the carrying out of our consecration vows and the resulting trials.

The most outstanding example we have of endurance in suffering brought on by faithfulness in divine service is our Lord Jesus. From Jordan to the cross his was a very strenuous service. Daily he gave his all, never sparing himself. Literally he “poured out his soul [his very being] unto death.” (Isa. 53:12) His journeyings from place to place were exceedingly difficult as compared with traveling today.

Even though Jesus was a young and perfect man, his ministry is generally recognized as an exceptional feat of endurance. It is also very apparent from the Scriptures that the healing of the sick, as performed by Jesus, although through the use of the divine miracle-working power which was at his command, was not without expending his own energy in his healing ministry. Long hours and days of this activity took its toll of his strength and health. It could be truly said of Jesus that he “took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”—Matt. 8:17

Jesus cheerfully endured pain and suffering, desiring only that the Father’s will be done in and through him. He knew that faithful endurance also called for continuance in the work of bearing witness to the truth; that not until he had thus been faithful unto death would his part in this great work be accomplished.

Another faithful servant who endured prolonged physical suffering for the Lord’s sake, ever willing to “spend and be spent,” was the Apostle Paul. (II Cor. 12:15) His general pattern of experiences in every place he visited on his various missionary journeys included being reviled, and afflicted with physical pain by one means or another.

In writing to Timothy, Paul, who had endured so much for the Lord’s sake, exhorted, “Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (II Tim. 2:3) To show that he never expected others to do what he was not willing to do himself, Paul could say, “I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”—II Tim. 2:10

Paul added a wonderful testimony relating to his many tribulations. He said, “Out of them all the Lord delivered me.” (II Tim. 3:11) Let it not be understood, however, that the instances of Paul’s physical endurance in the Lord’s service were easy for him, because he wrote, “I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage.” (I Cor. 9:27) Or, more literally stated, Paul said, “I became a slave-driver to my body.”

It is important to note that in spite of Paul’s zeal for the Lord and his resolute determination to carry out all that was required of him, his experiences were not endured in his own strength. He had special help from the Lord as indicated in his exhortation to Timothy: “Join me in bearing suffering for the Gospel, by the power of God.” (II Tim. 1:8, Moffatt Translation) What Paul meant by this was that he was able to bear the suffering which came upon him in the service of the truth because of the help supplied by the Lord. This special help was through the Holy Spirit, a holy power; and we are similarly to be “strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.”—Eph. 6:10

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