Link to other
Writings of David Chadwell Abraham went from Ur’s security to live as a nomad. Isaac
favored a son and alienated a wife. Jacob constantly mediated between two
jealous families. Joseph went from favorite son to slave because of the
combination of his arrogance and his brothers’ jealousy. Moses left perhaps the
most powerful family in the world to be a shepherd in the wilderness. Samuel
watched the people he spent his lifetime leading to God reject God (1 Samuel
8:1-7). David fled for his life. Solomon let his wives lead him away from God (1
Kings 11:1-8). Isaiah fled from Jezebel. Jeremiah anguished because God’s
message through him was rejected (Jeremiah 20:7-11). Daniel was a captive in a
foreign country. Jonah, with all his being, objected to God’s mission. Hosea
endured the misery of being a living parable to illustrate the faithlessness of
God’s people. Most written prophets endured the agony of declaring bad news.
Peter denied Jesus in the worst of circumstances. Paul was pursued and ridiculed
by Jewish Christians who disagreed with his message. The Christian missionary
Demas abandoned Paul and Christ to return to the world (2 Timothy 4:10).
The history of Israel’s story and early Christianity’s story is filled with
people who experienced struggles because they followed God. From the perspective
of “here and now,” that appears to be a bad choice. Why make that choice when
their world had no respect for their decision? Speaking of Abel, Enoch, Noah,
Abraham, and Sarah, the author of Hebrews said this in 11:13-16:
"All these died in faith, without receiving the promises,
but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having
confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say
such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And
indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they
would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better
country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called
their God; for He has prepared a city for them."
Two reasons for their decision: (1) They understood God planned something
special. (2) They understood that they did not belong in a world unconcerned
about righteousness.
The something special God planned was Jesus. Because God agreed the righteous
did not belong in an unrighteous world, He is preparing a place in which they do
belong.
Physical existence without struggle is not an option—not in Christ, out of
Christ, or sometimes in and out of Christ. Struggle is part of physical reality.
God uses human struggle to accomplish eternal purposes. He always has, and He
always will.
The issue is not, “Will I endure struggle?” The issue is, “Will I surrender my
struggle to God and allow God to produce eternal good from the difficulties I
experience?
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His
might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm
against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of
this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly
places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to
resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm" (Ephesians
6:10-13).
Even Jesus, God’s own son, endured stress and surrendered to a cross!
Link to other
Writings of David Chadwell
