April 30:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Our Heavenly Reward.
"Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."--Matthew 5:11, 12, NKJV

GREAT IS THE REWARD in heaven of those who are witnesses for Christ through persecution and reproach.  While the people are looking for earthly good, Jesus points them to a heavenly reward.  But He does not place it all in the future life; it begins here.  The Lord appeared of old time to Abraham and said, "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."  Genesis 15:1.  This is the reward of all who follow Christ.  Jehovah Immanuel--He "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," in whom dwells "all the fullness of the Godhead bodily"  (Colossians 2:3-9)--to be brought into sympathy with Him, to know Him, to possess Him, as the heart opens more and more to receive His attributes; to know His love and power, to possess the unsearchable riches of Christ, to comprehend more and more "what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God"  (Ephesians 3:18, 19)---"this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord."  Isaiah 54:17.

It was this joy that filled the hearts of Paul and Silas when they prayed and sang praises to God at midnight in the Philippian dungeon.  Christ was beside them there, and the light of His presence irradiated the gloom with the glory of the courts above.  From Rome, Paul wrote, unmindful of his fetters as he saw the spread of the gospel, "I therein rejoice, yea, and will rejoice."  Philippians 1:18.  And the very words of Christ upon the mount are re-echoed in Paul's message to the Philippian church, in the midst of their persecutions, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."  Phiolippians 4:4.--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessings, 34, 35.

April 29:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Fiery Trials.
Being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials.--1 Peter 1:5, 6, NRSV

IN THIS LIFE we must meet fiery trials and make costly sacrifices, but the peace of Christ is the reward.  There has been so little self-denial, so little suffering for Christ's sake, that the cross is almost entirely forgotten.  We must be partakers with Christ of His sufferings if we would sit down in triumph with Him on his throne.  So long as we choose the easy path of self-indulgence and are frightened at self-denial, our faith will never become firm, and we cannot know the peace of Jesus nor the joy that comes through conscious victory.  The most exalted of the redeemed host that stand before the throne of God and the Lamb, clad in white, know the conflict of overcoming, for they have come up through great tribulation.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 215.

                       In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while
          you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith--
              being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire--
                           may be found to result in praise and glory and honor
                      when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Although you have not seen him,
                            you love him; and even though you do not see him now,
                    you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
                for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
                                                                                                     --1 Peter 1:6-9, NRSV

                           I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power
               that raised him from the dead.  I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death.
                                                                                            --Philippians 3:10, NLT

                      Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ
                              in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy
                                       of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
                                                                                              --Peter 4:13, NLT

April 28:  Joy Through Tribulation.

A Share in Christ's Glory.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.--1 Peter 4:12, 13, NRSV

FOLLOW YOUR SAVIOUR through evil as well as good report; count it all joy, and a sacred honor, to bear the cross of Christ.  Jesus loves you.  He died for you.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 237.

The Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, left His riches, His splendor, His honor and glory, and, in order to save sinful man, condescended to a life of humility, poverty, and shame; "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame."  Oh, why are we so sensitive to trial and reproach, to shame and suffering, when our Lord has given us such an example?  Who would wish to enter into the joy of their Lord while they were unwilling to partake of His sufferings?   What! the servant unwilling to bear the humility and shame and reproach which the Master bore unselfishly for him! the servant shrinking from a life of humility and sacrifice which is for his own eternal happiness, by which he may finally obtain an exceedingly great, an eternal reward!  The language of my heart is: Let me be a partaker with Christ of His sufferings, that I may finally share with Him the glory.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 409.

                                   He is the reflection of God's glory....
                                When he had made purification for sins,
                          he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
                              
                                                                   --Hebrews 1:3, NRSV

April 27:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Partakers of the Divine Nature.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for these who have been trained by it.--Hebrews 12:11, NIV

THE TRIALS TO WHICH Christians are subjected in sorrow, adversity, and reproach are the means appointed of God to separate the chaff from the wheat.  Our pride, selfishness, evil passions, and love of worldly pleasure must all be overcome; therefore God sends us afflictions to test and prove us, and show us that these evils exist in our characters.  We must overcome through His strength and grace, that we may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  "For our light affliction," says Paul, "which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."  Afflictions, crosses, temptations, adversity, and our varied trials are God's workmen to refine us, sanctify us, and fit us for the heavenly garner.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, 115.

The precious Saviour will send help just when we need it.  The way to heaven is consecrated by His footprints.  Every thorn that wounds our feet has wounded His.  Every cross that we are called to bear He has borne before us.  The Lord permits conflicts, to prepare the soul for peace.--The Great Controversy, 633.

                               Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,
                                  so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,
                                having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
                                                                                                 --2 Peter 1:4, NIV

April 26:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Danger in Prosperity.
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil to it.--Proverbs 10:22, NIV

IN THE MIDST of prosperity lurks danger.  Throughout the ages, riches and honor have ever been attended with peril to humility and spirituality.  It is not the empty cup that we have difficulty in carrying; it is the cup full to the brim that must be carefully balanced.  Affliction and adversity may cause sorrow, but it is prosperity that is most dangerous to spiritual life.  Unless the human subject is in constant submission to the will of God, unless he is sanctified by the truth, prosperity will surely arouse the natural inclination to presumption....

Whenever pride and ambition are indulged, the life is marred, for pride, feeling no need, closes the heart against the infinite blessings of Heaven.  He who makes self-glorification his aim will find himself destitute of the grace of God, through whose efficiency the truest riches and the most satisfying joys are won.  But he who gives all and does all for Christ will know the fulfillment of the promise, "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it."  Proverbs 10:22.  With the gentle touch of grace the Saviour banishes from the soul unrest and unholy ambition, changing enmity to love and unbelief to confidence.  When He speaks to the soul, saying, "Follow Me," the spell of the world's enchantment is broken.  At the sound of His voice the spirit of greed and ambition flees from the heart, and men arise, emancipated, to follow Him.--Prophets and Kings, 59, 60.

                              "The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
                                     he humbles and he exalts."
                                                                            --1 Samuel 2:7, NIV

April 25:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Be Cheerful and Rejoice.
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled.  Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.--Luke 6:21, NKJV

WHEN MEN shall revile you, and pressure you," said Jesus, "rejoice, and be exceeding glad."  And He pointed His hearers to the prophets who had spoken in the name of the Lord, as "an example of suffering affliction, and of patience."  James 5:10.  Abel, the very first Christian of Adan's children, died a martyr.  Enoch walked with God, and the world knew him not.  Noah was mocked as a fanatic and an alarmist.  "Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment.  "Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection."  Hebrews 11:36, 35.--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 33.

Remember that this earth is not heaven.  Christ has declared: "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."...

Jesus has not left you to be amazed at the trials and difficulties you meet.  He has told you all about them, and He has told you also not to be cast down and oppressed when trials come.  Look to Jesus, your Redeemer, and be cheerful and rejoice.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, 127, 128.

                                        "Fear not, for I am with you;
                                 Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
                                            I will strengthen you,
                                              Yes, I will help you,
                             I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
                                                                             --Isaiah 41:10, NKJV

April 24:  Joy Through Tribulation.

When There Is True Repentance.
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,...To comfort all who mourn,...To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."--Isaiah 61:1-3, NKJV

WHILE WE SORROW on account of sin, we are to rejoice in the precious privilege of being children of God.

We often sorrow because our evil deeds bring unpleasant consequences to ourselves; but this is not repentance.  Real sorrow for sin is the result of the working of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit reveals the ingratitude of the heart that has slighted and grieved the Saviour, and brings us in contrition to the foot of the cross.  By every sin Jesus is wounded afresh; and as we look upon Him whom we have pierced, we mourn for the sins that have brought anguish upon Him.  Such mourning will lead to the renunciation of sin....

...The tears of the penitent are only the raindrops that precede the sunshine of holiness  This sorrow heralds a joy which will be a living fountain in the soul.  "Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God;" "and I will not cause Mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord."  Jeremiah 3:13, 12.  "Unto them that mourn in Zion," He has appointed to give "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."  Isaiah 61:3.--The Desire of Ages, 300.

                                        "I will be his father, and he will be my son.
                   If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like a father would do.
                                But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul,
                                                       whom I removed from your sight."
                              
                                                             --2 Samuel 7:14, 15, NLT

April 23:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Vitalizing Power.
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.  You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.--Psalm 30:11, NLT

NOT ALL THIS WORLD bestows can heal a broken heart, or impart peace of mind, or remove care, or banish disease.  Fame, genius, talent--all are powerless to gladden the sorrowful heart or to restore the wasted life.  The life of God in the soul is man's only hope.

The Love which Christ diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power.  Every vital part--the brain, the heart, the nerves--it touches with healing.  By it the highest energies of the being are roused to activity.  It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care, that crush the life forces.  With it comes serenity and composure.  It implants in the soul, joy that nothing earthly can destroy,--joy in the Holy Spirit,--health-giving, life-giving joy.--The Ministry of Healing, 115.

When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life.  Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced; love, humility, and peace take the place of anger, envy, and strife.  Joy takes the place of sadness, and the countenance reflects the light of heaven.  No one sees the hand that lifts the burden, or beholds the light descend from the courts above.  The blessing comes when by faith the soul surrenders itself to God.--The Desire of Ages, 173.

                                            And do not be conformed to this world,
                                     but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
                          that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
                                                                                               --Romans 12:2, NKJV

April 22:  Joy Through Tribulation.

From Sadness to Joy.
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry.  I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.--Jeremiah 31:13, NRSV

LET US LOOK to the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord has done to comfort us and to save us from the hand of the destroyer.  Let us keep fresh in our memory all the tender mercies that God has shown us,--the tears He has wiped away, the pains He has soothed, the anxieties removed, the fears dispelled, the wants supplied, the blessings bestowed,--thus strengthening ourselves for all that is before us through the reminder of our pilgrimage.

We cannot but look forward to new perplexities in the coming conflict, but we may look on what is past as well as on what is to come, and say, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."  "As thy days, so shall thy strength be."  Deuteronomy 33:25.  The trial will not exceed the strength that shall be given us to bear it.  Then let us take up our work just where we find it, believing that whatever may come, strength proportionate to the trial will be given.

And by and by the gates of heaven will be thrown open to admit God's children, and from the lips of the King of glory the benediction will fall on their ears like richest music, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."  Matthew 25:34.--Steps to Christ, 125.

              The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.
        And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.
              When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
                                                                                            --1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT

                   Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Jeshanah,
              and named it Ebenezer; for he said, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
                                                                                         --1 Samuel 7:12, NRSV

April 21:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Endless Joy.
"Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."--John 16:22, NKJV

GREAT DARKNESS was upon the face of the earth.  The last hope of the disciples seemed swept away as Jesus died.  Many of His followers witnessed the scene of His sufferings and death, and their cup of sorrow was full.--Early Writings, 177.

Lonely hours they spent in weeping over their disappointment.  They had expected that Jesus would reign as a temporal Prince, but their hopes died with Him.  In their sorrow and disappointment, they doubted whether He had not deceived them.  Even His mother wavered in her faith in Him as the Messiah.--Early Writings.--179.

Jesus arose from the dead, a triumphant conqueror.  In solemn awe the angelic host gazed upon the scene.  And as Jesus came forth from the sepulcher, those shining angels prostrated themselves to the earth in worship, and hailed Him with songs of victory and triumph.--Early Writings, 182.

Jesus remained with His disciples forty days, causing them joy and gladness of heart as He opened to them more fully the realities of the kingdom of God.--Early Writings, 189.

His anxious followers gladly listened to His teachings, eagerly feasting upon every word which fell from His holy lips.  Now they certainly knew that He was the Saviour of the world....Their hearts were warmed with love and exceeding joy, as Jesus told them that He would go and prepare mansions for them and come again and receive them, that they might be ever with Him.--Early Writings, 190.

                "Let not  your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
      In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
              I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you,
                                 I will come again and receive you to Myself;
                                      that where I am, there you may be also."
                                                                                      --John 14:1-3, NKJV