The reality of circumstances

One thing we can’t take for granted anymore these days is an affinity for, or a general understanding of the Bible. For a myriad of reasons society at large has done its very best to distance itself from the Bible. Whether the argument is relevance for the 21st century or revulsion from the hardline stances on certain doctrines, many in our society have shelved the Bible for good. And that’s really bad.

One of the reasons I find the Bible so compelling and completely trustworthy (besides believing it to be God’s infallible and inerrant Word) is the realness and honesty it brings to life. It’s full of accounts of real people, who really lived and died (and in Jesus’ case rose again). People with struggles and doubts and fears and family dysfunctions just like everyone else.

It’s easy to get caught up in our individual circumstances and think that those circumstances define reality. But the Bible says that our circumstances don’t define reality — Jesus Christ defines reality.

In Acts chapter 16, Paul and Silas are beaten and thrown in prison for talking about Jesus and helping a slave girl. Instead of lamenting about their current state or the unfairness of their imprisonment, we find them joyfully praising God in song and prayer! How could this be? How could they respond this way? Were they just tougher than anyone else? No, I don’t think so.

I think they understood that their current circumstances didn’t define their ultimate reality; their Lord Jesus Christ defines reality.

That’s the claim of the Bible in a nutshell: that Jesus Christ is King and he’s the hope of all who put their trust in him and the Judge of all who will not. That means for the follower of Christ, no matter what comes, they can receive it with joy because they know Jesus is in control.

Whatever situation you may find yourself in, whether the mountain top of joy or the valley of the shadow of death, know that King Jesus wants to give you hope.

Maybe it’s time to take that Bible off your shelf and dust off the cover. I pray you open it up and see for yourself how Jesus brings hope and peace to all who repent and believe.

Brandon Herron is lead pastor at First Baptist Church in Sandpoint.