Rejoice In All Circumstances...

On February 1, 1831, in a small town in the Vogtland region of Saxony, a little boy was birthed. At age 22, with $80 dollars given to him by his uncle, he boarded a ship in Bremen and docked in Hoboken, New Jersey. He arrived penniless and with no knowledge of English. His first job at a small grocery store in Ohio paid him four dollars a week. Soon, he decided to move to Cincinnati, where he became part of the city’s large German immigrant population. His first job in Cincinnati was as a door-to-door salesman. The owner of the store allowed him to sleep in a packing crate on the premises, and allowed him to save a dollar a week. His next job was at Heidelbach & Seasongood Bank in Cincinnati. He earned about eight dollars a week. Here he slept in a loft over the bank office and continued to save all he could.

One day he saw some musical instruments that were for sale which reminded him of how he and his friends back in Germany used to make such instruments. So, he sent his life's savings of $700 to his friends in Germany and had them ship a supply of their instruments. The first shipment sold very quickly. He sent for more and was on his way to becoming a successful businessman.

The business this boy eventually started manufacturing pianos, organs, music boxes, and player pianos. It became a multimillion dollar business. The boy's name? Rudolph Wurlitzer.

If Rudolph Wurlitzer did not start out lonely and penniless, chance are, he would not have done what he did. His harsh circumstances generated the motivation that moved him to become successful businessman. 

At times we find ourselves thrown into a difficult situations; and we must make decisions. Often these circumstances are so impossible, it is easy to give up!

One of the oldest books in the Bible is the book of Job. The Bible says Job was loved by people due to his righteous acts before men and God. He helped the poor, widows and the down cast whenever he had the opportunity. He had wealth and integrity. He had a great family. But one day, he lost all that he had. All his riches disappeared like the morning dew. Immediately after, a great wind killed his 7 sons and 3 daughters. Furthermore, his body was covered with boils and blisters as yellow puss oozed out of his body.

Perhaps, even worse than losing his wealth and health was his beloved wife coming to him and saying, “Just curse God and die!” She was literally saying, “Give up! What is the point of living in this condition? Just die! This God is not trustworthy. All your life, you gave and did good deeds, is this how he repays you? Curse God!” Is there a more painful moment than to have your beloved backstab you in this way? This was such a painful experience for Job he utters words of pain and grief!

Job 3:11-12, 24 | “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire? Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? ... For my sighing comes instead of my bread, and my groanings are poured out like water.”

But this was not the end for Job. Job ends in chapter 42!

Job 42:5 | I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;

Job 42:10 | And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

I am told, that the Chinese have two characters for the word "crisis". One means danger; the other, opportunity. How right they are! In every crisis there is a danger of being defeated or the opportunity for growth.

Life's like that. Difficult times, economic hardships, business setbacks, sicknesses, sorrows, and heartbreaks rush in on our lives unexpectedly. When they do, we often feel like we've struck out and have failed. However, the only real failure in life is when we fail to pick ourselves up. During this Christmas, undoubtedly, life will come in from all angles. And in 2013, life will come from all angles. Remember who your God is and how he has redeemed you! Will he not continue to cover you with his grace and love? So trust in him and place your hope in him! 

In the book of Philippians, Paul writes one of the most encouraging words in the Bible. He encouraged the disciples of Jesus to not give up! He encouraged them to live in joy and to rejoice in the Lord always! He did not write to them from the comforts of his home. No, he wrote the encouraging words from the dark and damp dungeons of a Roman prison. He was imprisoned, not for a crime of murder or stealing, but for sharing the good news of Jesus! He could have complained about his life but rather, he makes an intentional choice to trust in the Lord; and he begins to worship God with Silas, his ministry partner. 

He writes, “10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Philippians 4

And he caps the statement with: "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Amen! Friends, may we find our greatest joy and pleasure in God! So that, whether we have much or little, we may bring glory and honor to him who died upon the cross for us. May our year end in such confidence in God. May our 2013 start with such confidence in Him who gave his only Son for us! Blessings!