Tried and Tested

Occasionally, politicians prove to be even more disappointing than we have come to expect. Both Gordon Brown and Theresa May were impressive Chancellors and Home Secretaries respectively, but having risen to the top job, they gained reputations for incompetence and bungling. To be fair to both of them, they served and serve at difficult times. Brown had to handle the world’s biggest financial crash since the Great Depression and May is attempting to exit the European Union with a divided and antagonistic Parliament. Still, those who seek easy lives should stay clear of politics; we expect our leaders to govern well, regardless of the obstacles put before them. Both of them were found wanting when the real challenges came. Brown couldn’t handle the economy when it recessed and May couldn’t effectively negotiate with her colleagues or the EU. They will not be remembered for their successful times in their respective government departments, but for their awkward and difficult spells heading a government.

The Christian is almost guaranteed a tough time on earth. Against persecutions, adverse circumstances and the flesh he must wrestle. We are measured, not by how much we enjoyed the good times when our paths were smooth, but how we fare during the storms. Proverbs 24:10 seemingly offers little sympathy to the harassed believer, merely remarking that those who falter in time of trouble have little faith. The text is underpinned by the assumption that even during trying circumstances, the saint has access to such vast reserves of strength and power, that there really is little excuse to sink or thrash about. Here it is, from a number of translators:

 

New International Version

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

 

New Living Translation

If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. 

 

English Standard Version

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

 

Berean Study Bible

If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!

 

New American Standard Bible 

If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited.

 

King James Bible

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

 

Good News Translation

If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed. 

 

Holman Christian Standard Bible

If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited. 

 

International Standard Version

If you grow weary when times are troubled, your strength is limited. 

 

NET Bible

If you faint in the day of trouble, your strength is small! 

 

GOD'S WORD® Translation

If you faint in a crisis, you are weak.

 

New American Standard 1977 

If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited.

 

Jubilee Bible 2000

If thou art slack in the day of tribulation, thy strength shall be reduced.

 

Darby Bible Translation

[If] thou losest courage in the day of trouble, thy strength is small.

 

English Revised Version

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

 

Webster's Bible Translation

If thou faintest in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

 

World English Bible

If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.

 

Young's Literal Translation

Thou hast shewed thyself weak in a day of adversity, Straitened is thy power.

 

The Lord has ordained that His people are not immune from troubles this side of the grave. Yet He gives us the means and grace by which we will triumph over adversity. Do you consider yourself a strong, mature Christian? If you haven’t been through the fire, flood, earthquake, wind and storm, that claim has not been proved, and your faith remains untried and untested. Only after trouble can you say with the apostle: 

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me -Philippians 4:12-13.

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