The Biblical Response to Untold Hardship

FORGET NONE OF HIS BENEFITS
volume 23, number 22, May 30, 2024

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him, James 1:12.

Aaron Burr, Jr. was reared in a godly home of prominence. His great grandfather was Solomon Stoddard, the erstwhile theologian and pastor of Northampton, Massachusetts. His grandparents were Jonathan and Sarah Edwards. Jonathan was no doubt the greatest philosopher and theologian in American history. His father was Aaron Burr, Sr. President of Princeton, and his mother was Esther Edwards Burr, the godly daughter of Jonathan and Sarah. In October, 1757, when young Aaron was only two years old, Aaron, Sr. died suddenly, and the authorities at Princeton asked Jonathan Edwards to assume the position of President. Edwards agreed and in January, 1758 moved to Princeton from Stockbridge, Massachusetts where he had been pastoring a church comprised mainly of American Indians. Sarah and the remaining children were to follow soon afterward. Edwards, always intrigued and up to date in contemporary scientific and medical issues, agreed to take a smallpox inoculation. It went bad and he died in March, 1758, shortly after taking the Presidency of Princeton. Later that summer Esther died. Finally, while Sarah was caring for Aaron, Jr. and his sister, Sarah, she contracted dysentery in Philadelphia and also died a few weeks later. So young Aaron lost his parents and grand parents within one year.

Several years later, after his graduation from Princeton, young Aaron took a year to think through what he believed. His decision was to reject the faith of his godly heritage. Aaron Burr, Jr. went on to great prominence in politics, serving as Vice President of the United States under Thomas Jefferson. However he grew to become an unprincipled man, one whom today we would call a “con artist” or untrustworthy. When running for Governor of New York in 1804, his long time nemesis, Alexander Hamilton, made disparaging remarks about his character. Burr was so incensed at this besmirching, that he challenged Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton, who had not owned a gun in years, borrowed one and reluctantly agreed to the duel, thinking they would stop short of actually shooting at each other. Burr was serious, killing Hamilton, fleeing later to St. Simons Island, Georgia. Later Burr was arraigned four times for treason and acquitted each time. He said that he wished to be buried at the feet of his parents and grandparents in the cemetery in Princeton, knowing that he was not worthy to be laid beside them. He was laid to rest near their graves. To be sure, Aaron Burr, Jr. faced incredible hardship at a young, impressionable age, but the way he responded to them certainly added to his long, slow spiritual demise. 

You no doubt have faced, or perhaps are facing this very moment, severe hardship. We have friends whose fathers died young, leaving our friends without a father’s loving care and protection. We have friends whose spouses died early, placing great hardship on the family. Wini and I, as well as others we have known, have lost young children. Nothing breaks my heart more than seeing little children waste away with some incurable disease. We have friends who were brutalized both physically and sexually by their brothers or fathers and still live with the scars from their horror. There is hardship everywhere because we live in a fallen world. Just last week a young missionary couple in Haiti were murdered by local thugs. What about you? How have you suffered? I know you have suffered in some way. It is inevitable for all of us. James tells us to consider our trials with all joy. I have said many times before that joy is not happiness. None of us are happy when hardship hits us between the eyes. Joy, however, is an inward trust, a quiet confidence, that God in His loving and comforting providence is with us, will never forsake us, and will ultimately bring good from all of it (Romans 8:28-39). James goes further by summarizing and encouraging us to remember that the man who perseveres (James 1:3, Matthew 10:22, 1 Corinthians 13:7) under trial (1 Peter 1:6-7) receives God’s benediction or affirmation (Psalm 1:1, 2:12). And once he is approved, once he passes the test of these trials (Matthew 24:13, 2 Timothy 4:7) without denying the faith, God promises the crown of life. Jesus calls it a reward in heaven (Matthew 5:12) and a crown of life (Revelation 2:10), while Paul says it is a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), and Peter refers to it as an unfading crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4). 

There is both a present and eschatological realization of this reward. All these references speak of receiving it in the future, but Jesus also said that He came to give an abundant life now (John 10:10). So there is a present experience of this crown of life. A crown is symbolic of something great. A beauty pageant winner receives a crown, symbolizing her “reign” as Miss America. A king, at his coronation, has a crown placed upon his head, pointing to his authority, power, and victory. As you persevere in your trials, you grow in faith—coming increasingly to know and experience the assurance of God’s love for you, His authority is displayed through your life as others watch how you navigate the troubled waters of sorrow and hardship. The power of a life submitted to majestic providence, and the victory over sin, the flesh, the devil, and worldly compromise becomes increasingly obvious to those who know you. This Biblical response to hardship proves what those with eyes to see and ears to hear already suspect—that you love the Lord and trust Him with everything, something He has wrought in you by His free grace (Psalm 145:20, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 2:9).

How we handle hardship is very, very important. When Rachel was dying at the birth of her son (Genesis 35:16-18) she said that she wanted him to be called Ben-oni (son of my sorrow). Would you want to hang such a name on your child? She hoped her son would go through life, proclaiming to everyone, that he was the cause of her death. Jacob wisely did not honor her request, instead naming him Benjamin (son of the right hand). We see this further played out when God promises the nation of Judah, though facing judgment due to her idolatry, that He will establish a new covenant with them (Jeremiah 31). Within this message of hope they say, “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel is weeping for her children, she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more,” (Jeremiah 31:15). Instead of focusing on God and His promises, both Rachel and Judah are grumbling. 

On the other hand Anna, age eighty-four (Luke 2:36-38), who was married for seven years before being widowed, never left the temple, praying and fasting night and day. When Jesus was presented in the temple after His circumcision, when Simeon rejoiced to see Him, Anna also gave thanks to God for Him. She continued speaking of Jesus to all who were looking for the salvation of Israel. In other words, she was waiting, praying, and fasting for the coming of Messiah; and when He came, she could not stop speaking of Him and worshipping the One who sent Him to be the salvation of sinners. In difficult circumstances Anna rejoiced and kept speaking of Jesus. 

So, how shall we respond to the hardships of life? Will you be a Rachel or will you be like Anna? The only way, my friend, to be like Anna and live with Jesus guiding your life and to consider everything with unparalleled joy, is to look at Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). He is the man of sorrows who was acquainted with grief, who saw the travail of His soul and was satisfied (Isaiah 53). But you may say, “I lack what I need,” but God says you have all you need in Him (Philippians 4:19, 2 Peter 1:3-4). You may say, “I am alone,” but God says He is always with you (Isaiah 43:1-3, Matthew 28:20). You may say, “I am a failure,” but God says you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37, 2 Corinthians 2:14). You may say, “I am completely overwhelmed,” but God says He will keep your soul, that He will not allow your foot to slip (Psalm 121). He will accomplish His purpose in your life, which ultimately is your conformity to His Son (Romans 8:29). Go to Jesus for His rest (Matthew 11:28). By this Jesus does not mean that He will tuck you comfortably into bed amidst all the pillows your wife puts there. He will, however, refresh and strengthen you so that you can get up from your bed of sorrow and serve Him in the world. And trust the Holy Spirit to strengthen you in every trial (Romans 8:26-27). You are weak but He is strong. Will you begin to see Jesus in your trials, and consequently rejoice no matter what befalls you?