Teachings – Trials Thorns and Thistles

TRIALS – THORNS AND THISTLES

UNFOLDING EIGHT

WHERE WE ARE 

God cursed the ground, and all creation was affected by that curse. From then on, Adam dealt with thorns and thistles in the hardened soil which lay east of Eden. Of course, we too face an existence where and when thorns and thistles infest our lives. If not farmers or gardeners, then we face the seemingly invasive thorns and thistles in the natural, social, and religious world. Yes, farmers face them really; we face them allegorically, but in whatever form, they are real. 

SCRIPTURE

Genesis 3:23

“Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” 

TRIALS – THORNS AND THISTLES
UNFOLDING EIGHT

Pastor now speaks of the trials that we face in our homes and in ourselves.  

“There is no part of man that does not yield him its thorns.”

Sinners and saints alike must deal with thorns and thistles. With regard to Christians, Pastor notes:

“Yes, and even in the soul itself, by reason of the imperfection of our sanctification, from the fact that we are not so filled by the Spirit, and not so conscious of the abiding of the Spirit within us as we yet shall be, thorns also and thistles are brought forth to us.”

Spontaneously trials come from seemingly nowhere. Nobody is so foolish as to sow thorns or thistles (although he does mention a Scot who thought to send seeds to New Zealand in order to introduce their thistle.) 

Trials are abundant. Not a thorn and thistle in the singular, but thorns and thistles. 

“If any of you are vexed trial after trial, I pray you do not think it a strange thing; you are not at all alone in such an experience.”

Trials come variously. It is not one form of trouble alone, but other forms also – “Thorn(s) also and thistle(s).” (emphasis added)

Indeed, trials come universally, meaning they are everywhere! Thorns and thistles are found in the most lavish and well kept gardens as they thrive in the hard ground of those who eke out an existence in squalor. 

Finally, trials are to be expected, as Pastor relayed in a story of a farmer who spoke of the thorns and thistles, 

“Well, when I took this farm, I calculated upon seeing them. Now that they have come up, to be forewarned is in great measure to be forearmed; I shall not sit down and weep with bitter disappointment, for what I suffer is no more than I expected.”

THOUGHT GOING FORWARD

Yes, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. All men face the thorns and thistles – sinners and saints alike. However, sinners see theirs as bad luck, or karma.  Saints see theirs as a test, or if a consequence of their sin, a chastening because our heavenly Father chastens whom He loves.

We have hope – hope not in ourselves or in this world. We have hope – not merely to survive the current trial – but with an endurance to face the never ending succession of abundant and various trials that we know will come. You see, this is where Christians fare better… even when it appears that sinners navigate their trials more nobly and courageously. You see, that happens because it is not the Christian but who indwells the Christian –  

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

IN TRIBUTE TO SPURGEON’S LOVE OF SHORT RHYMES

An unexpected trial to the Christian? No!
Surely not, unless…
in slothfulness of heart and mind they slept
with the armor of God under their bed.