THESE ARE THE TIMES THAT TRY MEN'S SOULS

Although he is given credit for coining the phrase, "These are the times that try men's souls," Thomas Paine's opening to the pamphlet, The American Crisis, could be said of any time between the eternities. After all, Adam was tried and convicted, just as those choosing sides during the Tribulation will be (Gen. 3:1-19; Rev. 13:17; 14:11; 16:2; 19:20). In fact, as long as this world continues in its present condition, the only time Satan will not be trying to destroy man's faith in his Creator, is during the one thousand year reign of Jesus on Earth (Rev. 20:1-7). That's just what he does (Ex. 12:23; Job 15:21; Ps. 17:4; Jer. 4:7; 1 Cor. 10:10; and especially Heb. 2:14)! Although Satan is bound for those thousand years, Jesus still will rule with a rod, because even without the Tempter present, man is naturally going to sin (Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15).

Followers of Christ are not promised to have a smooth life, void of trials and temptations. Jesus said, "...In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (Jn. 16:33). Notice He didn't say "might have," but "shall have." I am not exactly certain why born-again believers seem surprised when trials come, but if I had to guess, I would say it is because we do not know God's Word. It seems as though most Christians are "babes" lacking a desire for the sincere "milk of the Word" (1 Pet. 2:2). Even those who have been fed that "milk" are considered immature by Paul (1 Cor. 3:1-2).

Recently, I have had two Christians say that they are confused as to why they are having so much difficulty. One said, "It seems like the harder I try (to live for Christ), the more difficult life gets!" The other, my grandson, said that he didn't understand why he, having recently begun actively participating in church, has wrecked two cars and does not have the means to get them fixed. He is angry and hurt that God would allow him to be in this situation. The coward that I am, I decided to take is family to Cracker Barrel to comfort them, rather than try to explain. I will call and tell them to read this blog, but I didn't have the courage to confront him at the time. Knowing him, that simply may have been wisdom.

While the answer seems clear to those not involved in the trial, when you are going through one, you forget that all things work together for good to you because you love God (Rom. 8:28). As for the question, "Why now of all times?", the answer is easy: as long as you were not living for the Lord, Satan was quite content to leave you alone, but the moment that you decided to turn your life completely over to God, he began seeing you as a threat to his diabolical work. You will notice that in the case of Job, Satan didn't attack his "religious" counselors, he attacked the person who was his greatest threat. Satan had no problem with the Pharisees and Saducees, but even before the birth of Jesus, the devil was out to eliminate his opposition.

If things are going just fine for you and your family, take heed; you are probably not a threat to Satan!