As I was reading the seven chapters of the book of Micah, prophet to Judah, I noted that the Lord fulfilled His promise to add cursings and tribulation to His people because of their backsliding and idolatry (Deut 11.27-28).

I thought, “does trouble come to us as Spirit-filled people because we are backslidden?” Then I realised that while God sends tribulation to the backslider, he also sends trials to the saved. James 1:2 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations”. Note that the exhortation is given to “My brethren”, not to the unsaved.

Abraham was walking with God when God told him to sacrifice his promised son. Yet Abraham didn’t falter. He didn’t complain. He immediately obeyed and received the blessings of obedience. The Apostle Paul was obedient, yet he suffered many things. In fact, he gloried in them (2 Cor 12.9-10).

I’m not trying to make a doctrine out of the specific meanings of the English words “trials and tribulations” but rather trying to show you a principle from Scripture. Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Ultimately, the curses added to His backslidden people were designed to draw them back to Him. This was an opportunity for them to cry out to Him to save them. And, in our case also, the trials and tribulations are given for our benefit. Note that James goes on to tell us, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:3-4) Further, Job told us; “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

Trials and tribulations will come. But given a choice, I will choose those trials and tribulations that the Lord gives the righteous to refine them, over the trials and tribulations He gives to the ungodly and the sinner when He is trying to draw them back to Him.

How about you?