James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Christianity was never given as a way to get out of our problems. In fact it seems that problems increase many times because of our commitment to the Lord. We don’t like this scenario but God works great things in our lives through it. The Lord gave us relationship with Him, not as an escape from troubled times, but as an anchor and a help through those times.

The bible calls us a "peculiar" people and for good reason. We are a people who believe in God though we can’t see Him. We believe there is hope even when it seems there is no hope. We believe in the Redemption of Christ, and that cleansing of sin occurs through the Cross, the Blood, and Baptism. We also believe that death is not the end and that there is a resurrection and life eternal for those who believe.

We can be cast into prison but find the strength to pray and sing praises to God in the middle of the night. We also remember that a "fourth man" met 3 condemned men in the midst of the fire and an angel was sent to protect Daniel from the Lions. The storms can blow and the waves rage but we know Jesus will come in the midst of that storm and command it to cease.

Let temptations come and storms blow if they will. Moses rejected sin, chose Christ, endured affliction, and exercised faith even though he was tempted by great riches and power. We will do the same and "count it all joy" while we reside in the Mercy, Grace, and Peace of our Lord.