Stand up for Jesus!
Human life is full of trouble-
– which doesn’t come from the dust, said Job’s friend Eliphaz,
– nor does it sprout from the ground.
Man is born to trouble.
Compare your list of troubles with one famous man’s:
He had a difficult childhood
Less than one year of formal schooling
Failed in business at age 31
Defeated for legislature at 32
Failed again in business at 33
Elected to the legislature at 34
His fiancee died when he was 35
Defeated for speaker at 38
Defeated for electorate at 40
At 42 married a woman who became a burden, not a help
Only one of four sons lived past age 18
Defeated for congress at 43
Defeated for congress at 48
Defeated for senate at 55
Defeated for vice president at 56
Defeated for senate at 58
Finally elected president.
He was Abraham Lincoln, of course!
When I look at his list of setbacks-
I wonder if I’ve ever had a problem!
Is my response to failure instantly to lay the blame on somebody else?
Is there always an excuse, a complaint, an inner whine!
Corrie ten Boom was “born to trouble” like the rest of us.
But in a German concentration camp she jumped to her feet every morning and exuberantly sang:
“Stand up, Stand up for Jesus!”
She thanked the Lord for the little parade of ants that marched through her cell, bringing her company.
When Paul and Silas were in prison-
– they prayed and sang.
It isn’t troubles that make saints-
– but their response to troubles!