Why does God allow Trials?

http://www.believingstudy.com/articles/28/1/Why-does-God-allow-Trials/Page1.html

Gary Hall

I was raised as a Roman Catholic and intended to become a priest after I left school, but the Lord had other plans for me. In 1973, at the age of 17, I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour at the headquarters of the Liverpool City Mission. This immediately caused problems regarding my family. My mother and father were against what they called my "change of religion". The situation came to a climax when I arrive home one evening from a Christian friend's house only to be met by my father on the doorstep with the words, "You don't live here anymore". So at the age of 18 I would have been homeless but for the kindness of friends. One cannot rely on the goodness of others for too long, so I decided to move into a local boarding house. What I saw and experienced there cannot be written here. Eventually, after spending time living rough and in the Salvation Army hostel, I found my own apartment. I had fallen away from the Lord for two years at this time. My thoughts went back to my childhood desire to become a Roman Catholic priest. I made enquiries and found that the only real option for me was to become a monk in the Franciscan Order. The Saturday before I was due to leave for the monastery in Guildford, Surrey, I pleaded with the Lord, asking, "Lord, is it your will that I should become a monk like St. Francis?" That evening I attended a tent meeting in a local park. A preacher from Northern Ireland, Derrick Bingham, was teaching from the book of Nehemiah. During the service the preacher turned to my direction (there were about 500 people present) and said, God does not want you to become a monk like St. Francis of Assisi." Here was my answer from the Lord. From that moment I made a complete break from the Catholic Church and have come to see it as the biggest cult that this world knows. In 1979 I joined a church, The Mission, in the neighbourhood where I was living. From the moment I walked through the door of that small building I knew that I was home. The godly lifestyle and inspired teaching of Pastor Charles Bolton (promoted to glory 12 December 2003) and his wife brought me back to my first love for Christ. The church had no young people, but I never once felt that I was out of place. These people obviously loved the Lord. In my desire to reach others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ I began to give leaflets out in Liverpool City Centre. Many a Saturday afternoon was spent witnessing to those willing to stop and listen. On one Saturday in late Autumn 1979 I was approached by a girl with an Irish accent. She asked if I was a Christian and where the church I attended was located. The next morning the same girl was found at The Mission. To cut a short story shorter, six months later on March 29 1980, we were married by Pastor Bolton at The Mission. Margaret, my wife, also comes from a Catholic background, but was soundly converted to Christ and from the errors of Rome whilst visiting relatives in New York in the summer of 1979. (You may find her personal testimony one day on these pages.) In 1986 Pastor Bolton retired from the ministry at The Mission. The leadership of the church was handed over to me. To be very honest I did not fully understand what this would entail, but the Lord has been good and has led me each step of the way. Through the Lord's power we have been used to reach many hundreds of people, though our fellowship is actually small in number. In 1988 we changed the name of the church to Living Word. I am convinced that God is about to pour out His Spirit in revival one last time before the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ (see my article on Revival on this site). This revival will not come via the charismatic movement, it will not come from Toronto or Pensacola, it will not come from the ecumenical movement or the so-called Churches Together - these movements are bankrupt of the truth and the Spirit of God. This final revival will come as a result of the true believers in Christ Jesus getting right with Him. The revival will include a return to the Authorised King James Bible. My great desire is to see people coming to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord, to see backsliders returning, and to see the church of Christ revived. Though I have many failings I love the Lord Jesus Christ with all of my heart. I am willing to serve Him wherever and whenever He sees fit. The word of God is the delight of my life for I'm still amazed after all these years just how fresh and new The Holy Bible is each day!

By Gary Hall

Published on 10/11/2007

"Trial" is defined as "an affliction or trouble”. The remainder of the definition is very important: "act of testing or trying”. There are mainly four Greek words translated "trial” in the King James Bible. One of the four (purosis) suggests refining or testing by fire, “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. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified” (1 Peter 4:12-14).

Why does God allow Trials?

Introduction

The purpose of trials

God often allow difficulties to come our way to prove our faith. Various trials and tribulations that test our faith reveal whether we truly trust in God or not. “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). Gold must undergo the test of fire to separate it from the other elements that are found in the earth. It is God’s will that we come forth having faith that is more precious than gold, and so that we can be presented to Christ as a purified and holy people. “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27).

Though it might not seem to be so at the time, enduring trials produces humility and patience in us. “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure … Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7, 10). “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience” (Romans 5: 3).

The Scriptures address what the conduct of the Christian should be like while he or she is undergoing trials. There is to be rejoicing, praying, singing, and working. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2) … “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25) … “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4: 19). Therefore the believer ought not to give up praying, worshipping, and obeying God just because tough times are being faced.

God's promises to those who endure trials

Regarding Paul's thorn in the flesh he was told, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God also promises deliverance in time of trial for his people. “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7). Though God’s power is sufficient to keep us, yet He has chosen to appoint His angels to watch over us and deliver us from destruction. Another promise is the crown of righteousness. Paul said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Trials are part of life

Some of our problems are brought about by our own sins. “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). Some difficulties come as a result of doing what is right. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

Accompanying each "difficulty," though, God has provided a way of escape. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Regarding trials James wrote, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3).

Conclusion

Even though most of us hate the very thought of experiencing problems and difficulties, we still need to undergo trials to challenge and make us stronger Christians. Without trials, we tend to go our own way and neglect our relationship with Christ. Listen to the Psalmist, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted: that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:71).

More sermons and studies can be found at www.LWBC.co.uk