The Necessity of Trials and Tribulations

David makes a profound statement in Psalm 5:8, “O, LORD lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes…”

What is David getting at you may ask? David answers an age old question, “Why does bad things happens to good people.” Before we can truly answer that question, we must first answer a more pertinent question, “What makes one good?”

If we take an earnest look at ourselves we should come to the conclusion that nothing that we do warrants us the title of a “good” person. Therefore, being good is not necessarily based on what we do, but is truly determined by the observation of others. Being a Christian, only one observer’s judgment really matters – God. God sees us being good only through the prism of Jesus. If have the mark of Jesus, we are awarded the title of “good” in the eyes of God.

All that being said, how does this answer the question of why we go through “bad” stuff? Simple - none of us have “made it” yet. We are still a work in progress. The Apostle Paul said that he has not yet attained, but is pressing toward the mark of the high calling in Christ. It is through our hardships, trials, tribulations, and persecution of our enemies that leads us in righteousness; because on our own we would never make it. These difficult and trying times causes us to press and seek after the Lord. The only way to achieve this is to stay on the path of righteousness.

Think about it, how quick do we forget where we came from, or no longer find time for God when all things are well with us. Yet, the second something seems beyond our control, we find the time to seek God. I believe He that prefers not to use hardships to keep us “straight”, but He loves us enough to allow us to go through some things to keeps on the path of righteousness. Bad things come not to condemn us but to remind us that God brought us this far, not our knowledge and/or status in life.

So, David proclaims, because of my enemies I stay focused on God. In other words, when your enemies think that they are hurting you, they are really helping you. Helping you to stay close to God, seek His face more, desire His wisdom even the more. I thank God for my trying times, because without them, I would never know what my God can truly do or bring me through.