Journal Entry // December 28, 2021
They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.
Revelation 16:9 ESV
When times of difficulty and trials come to me, what is my inclination? Is it to curse the name of the Lord and blame him for all my troubles or is it to humble myself in repentance and seek the grace and mercy of the Lord? In this passage we see that as the bowls of God’s wrath and judgement are poured out upon the people of the world, there is only anger and self-righteousness in response. John tells us that the people did not respond appropriately in that they did not repent nor did they give glory to God.
Throughout the Bible this theme is played out over and over not only in the lives of God’s people but in the surrounding nations. God is seemingly always allowing trials and troubles into the lives of everyone. We don’t always know the reasons but we do always know the proper response… repent and give glory to God. This has always been the response of God’s faithful.
How am I responding to the adversity and struggle in my life that is weighing me down? There seems to be within me a continuing presence of self-righteousness that wants to be angry and blame God for my trouble. It feels as though my heart is being humbled and repenting. My heart is continuing to learn what it means to give glory to God. Yet my flesh is still active and calls out to my mind with accusations of how unfair I am being treated and questions the very love my Father has for me based on this adversity as if life should be pain and worry free. These accusations weigh me down and overtake my thoughts at times. As these thoughts persist they influence my heart with pride and victimhood. Leading me to be angry with the Lord.
How can I keep responding properly? By saturating my mind with the truth of God’s word. Seeing the love of Christ being worked out in Scripture and letting it inform my heart and mind. Repent and believe, giving glory to God. If I am seeking to do these things, then all doubt and fear and self-righteousness will be cast away. I must continue to preach the truth of the gospel to myself. That my heavenly Father loves me completely and is working in my life. He will give me the desires of my heart… His desires. My heart is being aligned with his.
So in this adversity I can rejoice in the glory of the Lord and repent of all that is not of God’s glory in my life. This adversity and struggle remind me that this world is not my home. These things around me that my flesh craves will all pass away. One day soon the Lord will return or call me home. Then and only then will all things be made right. Then I will be in the presence of the Lord and his glory will overwhelm me. And I will be at perfect peace.