Response to Circumstances
It is one thing to reflect a submissive attitude towards God when we bring troubles on ourselves, but it is a different matter when unexpected trials come our way in life, such as trouble and trials which are not of our own making. A drunk driver veers across the white line: a grim-faced doctor diagnoses some strange cancer: a light-fingered thief lifts up your wallet or purse: some clumsy defender breaks your son's leg in a football match. Such things are allowed by God, over which we have no control and they are the hardest to deal with.
But let us look for a moment at the apostle Paul. Paul talks about being bombarded with problems for which he had no responsibility. Of course, he did not bring the shipwrecks on himself. It was not his idea to generate a death threat in Damascus and face the humiliation of leaving the city in a basket over the wall. It was not in his mind to orchestrate a mob scene in Lystra, leaving him smashed by stones and left almost dead. Was it his choice to enlist a shrill-voiced girl to follow him around, causing a rumpus that gave him a bad name? And if he answered people's questions, could he help it if they were outraged by the truth? No, Paul may not have been responsible for his circumstances. He was responsible in the way he responded to them. Instead he said, "For Christ's sake I delight in weakness ... for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:10). He also said, "I endure all things, for the sake of the elect, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus our Lord, with eternal glory" (2 Tim 2:10). These words, brothers and sisters, can help us much in our daily lives on how we can respond to circumstances: "Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise" (Psalms 106:47).
Paul and Silas responded to their circumstances in a positive way. It was a testimony to the jailer and an encouragement to countless generations of oppressed believers who have read that account in the Bible, and found fresh courage to deal and overcome their circumstances. If we are faced with challenges in our daily lives, we can find praise and help in the apostle's teaching. Paul and Silas responded positively to their circumstances, trusted in Jesus, and believed in God that whatever happend, God was in control, for God said: "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb 13:5,6).
Paul learned the secret of happiness when he said, "I have learned the secret of being content in each and every situation, whether in plenty or need; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:12). As we journey towards the Kingdom, our hymn encourages us.
"While we journey homeward, Let us help each other on the road! Foes on every side beset us, Snares through all the way are strewed. It behoves us, it behoves us each to help bear a brother's load. Then let each esteem his brother Better than himself to be. And each prefer another, Full of love, from envy free. Happy are we, happy are we, When in this we all agree.
May Christ's return be soon because it will bring about God's kingdom. I pray that through God's mercies we will find a place in His kingdom, so let us remain faithful to His words in the Bible with love up to the end. As Jesus himself says: "Behold I am standing at the door and knock" (Rev 3:20). May he find us ready for his return like sheep without blemish.
Bro Gideon Hankomone (Mazabuka, Zambia)
