Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory. Ephesians 3:13
Tribulations are not something new. Tribulations have been around as long as man was created. Adam and Eve faced tribulations after being removed from the Garden of Eden, after they disobeyed the instructions of God. Tribulations can be many things, and may be completely different to each individual person. To one person a tribulation may be a sickness, drugs, poverty, a learning disability, or something that greatly impacts their immediate everyday life. To a nation Tribulations could be wars, natural disasters, or the potential of devastating decisions to be made. One year, for me, it was a limited income and a car in desperate need of tires.
I went out one day and found my back tire completely flat. After one of the boys put my spare on I headed in to work, realizing that the poor tire that had just been taken off was in no shape to go back on. The metal bands were worn through the rubber, and nothing could be done to convince it to hold air again.
A few days later I went to the local tire shop and asked them to look at the tire, as well as the others, and assess the problem. I knew my checkbook did not hold enough for a new tire, the spare would have to do for a while, but I wanted to know what the cost was going to be to replace all of them, as soon as I had enough money to make the purchase. My goodness, I wasn’t prepared for the cost of tires.
They put the worse tire on the back, opposite the spare. I told them I would be back as soon as I could to replace it. They encouraged me to come back as soon as possible because they were concerned about it blowing out on my hour trip to or from work each day. I also told them that as soon as I could I would replace the front tires which were in bad shape as well.
I went back a few weeks later and purchased one back tire, then a few weeks later I purchased another back tire and put the spare back into the trunk. I told them that I would not be able to buy another tire for at least a month. They thought, if I was very careful, that I might be able to drive on the front 2 for a month, but not any longer. Four months later I returned and purchased the last 2. I sat and waited in their customer area and when the car was complete I went up to the cash register to complete my transaction. There were 4 people watching me. I greeted them and one of them asked what I did every day when I drove my car. I told them that when I got into my car every day I thanked the Lord for the blessing of the car and asked for grace to get to work and home again without a problem. I asked them why they wanted to know and the same man stated, “Because there is no way that those tires should have been holding air. We are completely shocked that you were able to drive in here!” All of the rest nodded in agreement. “I serve a wonderful and miraculous God,” I told them, “and I am forever grateful for what He does for me every day.”
They watched me leave the building and get into my car. I thanked God for the blessing of my car, and I thanked Him for the miracle that kept me on the road until I had the money to replace those old worn out tires. The tribulation became my “glory” because I never gave up. John Wesley said that your glory is “Not fainting” when things become tough. Glory means beauty, ornament, distinction and pride. Our standing in faith, taking everything to prayer: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:18 (KJV), gives God a sense of pride over our trust and faithfulness.
I certainly don’t recommend living recklessly and expecting God to get you out of situations that you could have avoided. There’s a scripture about that, it says: Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted Him in Massah.” Deuteronomy 6:16 (KJV). But when you have no other means of solving a problem, leaning on God through prayer and supplication will have profound and amazing results. Our God is mighty to answer in ways that can only be done by Him.
Lord, I thank You that You are always with me, listening to my joys, fears, pain, and desires. I thank You that when I am in situations that I cannot control, You are there to keep a watchful eye and bring miracles when they are needed. I can never thank You enough for all you do. I can only promise to do my best to make myself available for anything You ask me to do. I am forever Yours.
(stock photo, not actual tire)
** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 5
Written by Linda J. Humes
4-17-2016
Linda J. Humes 