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CONDUCT IN TRIAL

“Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick” (John 11:3 NKJV).


Two sisters, Martha and Mary, had a brother named Lazarus who had become very sick. In times of trial, it helps to know how to act, and the conduct of these sister in this trying time is commendable. Thus, we want to note their action in trial, their abasement in trial, and their adoration in trial.

 

Action in trial – “The sisters sent to Him.” In the time of their trouble, Martha and Mary knew what to do; they sought the help of the Lord. Not many people do this. Rather, when trials come, some people try to bury their troubles with drugs and alcohol. Others turn to some psychologist, or psychiatrist, or they call their friends and pour out their sorrows and troubles. Yet, none of these things do much to solve our troubles or help us in our trials, rather they can increase our troubles. But there is great help from the Lord. When difficult times come, seek the Lord. Scripture says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

 

Abasement in trial – “Lord.” Martha and Mary came humbly to the Lord in their trial. This is seen in the fact that they called Jesus, “Lord.” Humility is the only way to approach God. Whether we are coming for help in trial or for some other need, we should always come to God humbly. Arrogance will not get much from God. If you want help from God, seek Him humbly.

 

Adoration in trial – “He whom You love is sick.” In pleading with the Lord Jesus to help their brother Lazarus, the two sisters did not emphasize their virtues or the virtues of Lazarus. Instead, they emphasized the virtues of the Lord Jesus Christ. The particular virtue they emphasized was love. And it was important for them to emphasize love, for often when trial comes, we have a tendency to think God does not love us, and so we accuse Him of failure to love. But Martha and Mary had learned that when trial comes, continue to praise God anyway. If we want help from God in our troubles, do not stop praising God.


(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

Life’s trials are not easy. But in God’s will, each has a purpose. Often He uses them to enlarge you!”

Warren Wiersbe (1929 - 2019)

American Pastor, Bible Teacher and Author

Word Study

False vows

In Matt. 5:33 we read, “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord” (NASB).

False vows” is the Greek word epiorkéō (ἐπιορκέω = ep-ee-or-keh'-o). It is made up of two words: “epí” which means against, and “hórkos” which means an oath. Thus, the word means to forswear self, to swear falsely, to not fulfill one’s oath, to commit perjury. In classical Greek the epiorkéō occasionally means to swear but it usually refers to a false oath. Epiorkéō is only used once in the New Testament, here in Matt. 5:33 where the Lord Jesus is describing one of the traditional interpretations of the Old Testament regulations. The contrast here, it with the virtue of performing any vow made to God. Therefore, it is a sin to make a solemn vow to God and not carrying it out

Did You Know…

During His temptation in the wilderness, the Lord Jesus quoted from the Old Testament Book of Deuteronomy to rebuke Satan (Luke 4:1-12; cf. Deut. 6:13, 16; 8:3).


Bible Quiz

What Old Testament example does the Book of James give of how true faith is demonstrated by works?


**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: According to the Book of James, when Christians face trials, how are they to respond? They should “Count it all joy” (Jam. 1:2).


Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

A Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18; Psalm 110:4; cf. Heb. 6:20)


"The Lord has sworn and will not relent, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4 NJKV).


Melchizedek was king of Salem, that is, king of Jerusalem in the time of Abraham. The word “Salem” means peace and “tsedek” means righteousness (cf. Heb. 7:2). The Lord Jesus Christ is the “Prince of Peace” (cf. Isa. 9:6); and He is the king who rules in righteousness. All peace and righteousness proceed from Him. And so, the Lord Jesus is “a priest according to the order of Melchizedek,” i.e. after his pattern, in the same kind or manner of way in which this ancient king was priest. Melchizedek is said to be “without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life” (Heb. 7:3). We have no account of his parents; nothing of his birth; nothing of his death. Similarly, the Lord Jesus Christ, as to His Divine nature, is without father or mother, and without beginning of days; nor can He have any end. Other priests could not continue by reason of death; but the Lord Jesus is Eternal, He cannot die, and therefore can have no successor: Therefore, as Melchizedek was a priest and a king, and had no successor, so is the Lord Jesus Christ: He is “a priest forever.” Under the Jewish economy, the combining of the two positions was not permitted. Monarchs were excluded from the ministry (2 Chron. 26:16-21). However, in the Lord Jesus Christ, the two positions are combined perfectly.


Did You Know – Christian History

Saint Basil, also known as St. Basil the Great, and Basil of Caesarea, was born around 330 A.D. in Caesarea Mazaca, Cappadocia. He was a bishop of Caesarea in central Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), theologian, and monastic leader who staunchly defended the church against the 4th Century heresy of Arianism.

 

Basil was born into a wealthy Cappadocian Greek family. He received a thorough education at Nicomedia in Bithynia, northwest Asia Minor, possibly under the tutorship of the famed rhetorician from Antioch, Libanius who was, curiously enough, a staunch defender of paganism. And as was common for a young aristocrat’s education at the time, Basil was also sent to Athens and Constantinople. His mother and grandmother took special care to bring him up as a Christian.

 

Even before he became the bishop of Caesarea, Basil was an activist on important issues of the day. He staunchly defended the deity of the Holy Spirit and the doctrine of the Trinity (that God is three Persons in one Being). However, Basil’s life changed radically after he encountered Eustathius of Sebaste, a charismatic bishop and ascetic. Abandoning his legal and teaching career, Basil devoted his life to God. He became a hermit and founded one of the earliest communities of monks in the Mideast. Leaving his reclusive life, he joined Gregory of Nazianzus in preaching. When famine overtook Cappadocia in 368, Basil sold inherited property to help the suffering and to feed the hungry. In 370, he became Bishop of Caesarea. Here he founded hospitals, hostels, and schools, largely financed from his own funds. Children were cared for, slaves protected, and the homeless given shelter.

 

St. Basil died on January 1, 379 and is remembered for his sound Christian theology, compassion for the poor, sick, and homeless, and as a man who was willing to stand up for his faith, even against the mighty Roman emperor. His writings on monasticism and theological issues was very influential in later centuries as the Christian Church developed in the east. St. Basil is regarded as one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church.


A Little Humor

A certain court jester went too far one day and insulted his king. The king became so infuriated that he sentenced the jester to be executed. His court prayed upon the king to have mercy for this man who had served him well for so many years. After a time, the king relented only enough to give the jester his “choice” as to how he would like to die. True to form, the jester replied, “If it’s all the same to you my Lord, I’d like to die of old age.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Drowning in life’s situations? Don’t worry, your Lifeguard walks on water!”

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