Piercing the Clouds of Life

“Two are better than one,because they have a good reward for their work: if one man falls down,his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. [Therefore] Carry each other's burden…”(Eccl 4:9-10,12; Gal 6:2). Motivation: If indeed we suffer with Him [Christ] we’ll also be glorified with Him (Rom 8:17).

hymn: Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on…

General introduction

Welcome to the ‘Barnabas Pair’ series one. This series is titled,“Piercing the clouds of Life.”As you read on, we pray God’s helping hand in your situation of pain. As someone has said,“God does not waste His pain.”Many in the English-speaking parts of Cameroon have undergone lots of pains due to the socio-political crisis that has been on since 2016. Many have questioned why God allows His people to suffer so much pain. As a result, many false preachers are taking advantage to enrich themselves through the suffering of others by exchanging prosperity messages for money. Their victims fall because they feel a Christian cannot suffer unjustly.

Paul’s experience in 2 Cor 1:3-11 will remind us that God has never promised us a problem-free life “He who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me” (Matt.10:38). Rather, He has always promised to go with us during our dark days as the pages of our history unfold. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flames consume you”(Isa 43:2). Also remember that the heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter 11 were not people who lived a trouble-free life. Instead, they were people who courageously faced what came their ways with the faith that God was far greater than the pains He allowed to pierce the hearts of His people.

In addition to your decision of becoming a Christian, there are many godly decisions that will attract persecution, pains, humiliation, and tears. Do not shy away from them. For if you will ever have the privilege of God wiping your tears then you certainly need those tears in your life (Rev 7:17;21:4).

May you find encouragement and hope to live and face the turbulent moments of life in such a way that if God were to revise the New Testament, your name would feature amongst those of the heroes in Hebrews 11.