Reformed Presbytery in North America Unknown

What makes the difference between bitterness and tenderness in our suffering-- It is whether -on the-one hand- we see by faith Jesus working His good plan for our life in that painful event or whether -on the-other hand- we only see our pain and heartache.-If all we see is our present pain, we will be overcome by resentment in why God allowed this to happen-or why that person treated us in that way. But if we by God's grace see beyond our present pain to behold our-glorious Savior -who makes all things beautiful in His time, Ecclesiastes 3-11-, we will find meaning and-purpose in what we suffer, and we will find peace and comfort by resting in His everlasting love for us. Instead-of falling into hopelessness, we will fall into hope awaiting that time -now or later- in which God will indeed-make all things beautiful -Romans 8-28-.

The persecution of God's faithful people by Antiochus Epiphanes was a great trial for them, but an-even greater trial was the betrayal of fellow Jews at that time who turned against the faithful. It is expected-that there will arise those who despise faithful Christians who stand without compromise for Jesus and His-truth. It is especially painful when those who profess to be Christians turn against faithful Christians because-they will not be moved from the truth found in God's Word.-Our faithful forefathers in the faith suffered in Scotland because they would not acknowledge that the-king had lawful authority from Christ to rule over the church or that the king had lawful authority from Christ-to destroy a faithful covenant made by a nation and its church with Almighty God -the Solemn League and-Covenant-. The rulers and a majority of the people in Scotland -who were not atheists-they professed to be-Christians-, and yet they hunted faithful Covenanters down like animals to imprison-kill them. That's painful--yet instructive.-Let us not think that God has called us as faithful Christians to an easy, carefree life in following Jesus in-this world -Acts 14-21-22-. We face a constant battle in standing for Christ and His truth -but it is worth it-. For-in so doing souls are saved, believers are encouraged, the Christ's kingdom grows, and we shall be given a-crown of life in heaven to come.