목양연가(牧羊戀歌)

A certain person pointed out today’s text says something like this.  “These three things (rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything gives thanks) are like three rose flowers blooming in the faith garden and are like three treasures that are only found in the faith garden.”  This seems so true.  The life span of man is so short and not always filled with bright spring days, it is filled more with trials and suffering.  At times like these it is not so easy to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in everything.  However God wants us to do that.  Then how is this possible?  This is only possible when we have faith to love God in Jesus Christ.  Therefore today we will receive grace in a sermon titled “A Saint’s Trials and God’s Will.”  May the grace of God overflow your heart.

First, every human life has difficult trials.  There is no human life that is without trials and no student enters school without exams.  In human life we must go through big exams in order to be a great person.  It is the same in our life of faith.  After tests and trials, we will possess stronger faith.  As we raise children, there is a time that they get sick.  However when we look closely after the sickness is gone they seem to grow in their thoughts and in their expressions.  Through the trial of sickness, a little child grows to maturity, little by little.  Jesus also went through many tests; perhaps no one had greater temptations and trials like Jesus.  He had three tests after 40 days of fasting in the Judean wilderness.  We see jthe first thing was a physical test; Satan tempted Him to change a stone into bread and eat.  This is a test for the most instinctive physical desire.  kThe second thing was a psychological test; Satan said that if He would throw Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, then the angels would keep Him. 

lThe third thing was a spiritual test; if He would worship Satan, He would be given all the glory of the kingdoms of the world by him.  However, Jesus overcame the three tests with the word of God.  He must have been physically tired.  Not only that, but Jesus also was to suffer great tests and trials on the cross.  Jesus had power to destroy, all at once by calling twelve legions of angels; however, He obeyed by suffering the trials to accomplish God’s will.  It is the same in our life of faith.  In order to be found true and go the right way we must go over the obstacles of difficult trials and various tests.  To become a great person of faith and a person of greater work there could possibly be pain like Abraham experienced, who offered his only son Isaac; like Jacob who had a difficult time wondering in the wilderness, like Daniel who was put in the lion’s den, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, whose trial began in the fiery furnace.  We must remember every human life has trials and adversity.  However, one thing is so obvious, that is tests and trials are not to make us fall.  In them we meet God and we find the will of God.  I believe if we follow the will of God, it will be a great blessing.

Secondly, what is God’s will for us in the trial?  It is that we are to jrejoice always, kpray without ceasing, land in everything give thanks.  jWe are to rejoice means always to live by unfolding the wrinkles (frowns) on our faces.  How can this be?  It is only possible with faith in God through Jesus Christ.  It is only possible to live by following the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ.  That is why it says in today’s text that it is the will of God for us in Jesus Christ.  Afflictions come to both believers and even nonbelievers; however the result is so different.  Suffering for nonbelievers brings only disappointment and discouragement. 

For example, many years ago a great wealthy person in Japan, who was named Osanogengi, died.  There was no way to escape death even with great wealth; however his death was a great concern for everyone.  The reason was because he was so rich and the cause of his death.  He had only a primary school education and focused only on one thing all his life, making money and he died without any children.  People called him names like “top profiteer, the master of the Black devil, monster and king of purchase.”  He had given so many hard times to others and had been so successful at snatching and saving a great amount of money, six billion yen at that time.  However at the age of 69, which is not that old, he was made to kneel before sickness. 

This astronomical pile of money brought him only death.  His money and fame did not keep him from death.  However, those who believe in Jesus and live in the Lord have a future.  Because they have tomorrow, even in the midst of distress, they can rejoice.  Job, in the Old Testament, did that.  He lost all of his children in one morning and lost all of his possessions.  On top of this painful boils struck him and he took a potshard to scrape himself which made him bleed and worms came out of his wounds.  (He rolled in the midst of suffering)  However, his heart over flowed with joy in the fear of God and he confessed like this.  “And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God.” (Job 19:26).  And Job praised God and said, “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10).  This is what’s different between believers and nonbelievers.  I believe saints can rejoice always as we look for tomorrow in Jesus Christ. 

kWe are to pray without ceasing.  Prayer is a privilege for saints.  I believe those who have the privilege to communicate with God can overcome their troubles and distress.  lWe are to give thanks in everything.  This means to become a saint who gives thanks in every circumstance, not only in joyful times but also in sorrow.  Be thankful not only in peace but in distress and trouble.  How is this possible?  It only comes from the heart which trusts God and is only possible when a person believes that all things work together for good.  Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  This means to believe that the trouble that we face now will pass away and there is hand of God which will give us something good.  A trial is not meaningless for human life.  As we see the Lord who works all things together for good, I believe God will change it into a great blessing.  For example, we see it in Joseph’s case when he was a young boy and was sold as a slave in Egypt because of the jealousy of his brothers.  Even in that place, he was imprisoned unfairly by trying to escape from the crafty temptation of his master’s wife.  The difficulty continued. 

However, God changed all things into good.  Because Joseph went to jail and met the servants of Pharaoh, he overcame the situation and became the prime minister of Egypt at a young age.  Who made him that?  It is God who works for good.  Without trials there would be no glorious things.  A nail goes deeper and deeper by hammering more and more.  A ball bounces higher and higher as it hits the ground harder.  It is the same in our life of faith.  If we are in God, as more trials come upon us, our faith will be stronger.  In every difficulty I have had I have experienced good things as an outcome after them, therefore in trouble, I pray with expectation and say, “Lord what good thing are you going to give?” 

Beloved saints!  I’ll finish preaching with this.  Do we have unknown trials and afflictions among us?  Do not be discouraged!  I believe God will work all things together for good.  I bless you in the name of our Lord that you all become saints who rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in every circumstance.


By: Rev. Samuel Choi