Topical Bible: Natural Life: Full of Trouble

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The concept of natural life being full of trouble is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the human experience of suffering, trials, and tribulations. This theme is rooted in the understanding of the fallen nature of the world and humanity's struggle with sin and its consequences.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible acknowledges the reality of life's troubles from the earliest texts. In the Book of Job, a man who experiences profound suffering, we find a poignant expression of this theme: "Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7). This verse encapsulates the inevitability of hardship in human existence.

The Psalms frequently echo this sentiment, portraying the psalmists' cries for deliverance from distress. Psalm 34:19 states, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all" . Here, the righteous are not exempt from trouble, but they are assured of God's deliverance.

The Fall and Its Consequences

The troubles of natural life are often traced back to the Fall of Man in Genesis. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world, bringing with it pain, toil, and death. Genesis 3:17-19 describes the curse upon the ground and the resulting toil and hardship for humanity: "Cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life" .

This foundational event sets the stage for the human condition, where suffering and trouble are part of the earthly experience. The Apostle Paul reflects on this in Romans 8:20-22, where he speaks of creation being subjected to futility and groaning as it awaits redemption.

Examples of Troubled Lives

Throughout the Bible, numerous individuals experience lives marked by trouble. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, endures years of hardship before rising to a position of power in Egypt (Genesis 37-50). David, anointed as king, spends years fleeing from Saul's attempts on his life (1 Samuel 18-31). The prophets, such as Jeremiah, often faced persecution and rejection as they delivered God's messages to a rebellious people.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul recounts his own sufferings for the sake of the Gospel, including beatings, imprisonment, and shipwrecks (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). These examples illustrate that even those who are faithful to God are not immune to the troubles of life.

Purpose and Perspective

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of trouble, it also provides a perspective on its purpose. Trials are often seen as a means of refining and strengthening faith. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "consider it pure joy... whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" .

Moreover, the Bible assures believers of God's presence and support amid trouble. Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble" . This assurance is a source of comfort and hope for those enduring life's difficulties.

Eternal Perspective

The troubles of natural life are also contrasted with the eternal hope promised to believers. In Revelation 21:4, the vision of the new heaven and new earth includes the promise that "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" . This future reality offers a profound hope that transcends the present troubles of life.

In summary, the Bible presents a realistic view of natural life as full of trouble, rooted in the consequences of sin and the fallen state of the world. Yet, it also offers a perspective of hope, purpose, and divine presence, encouraging believers to endure with faith and anticipation of ultimate redemption.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 14:1
Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Rhythm of Life
... Its natural method is rhythmic, intermittent, work alternating with rest ... Round and
round life goes, in its weary circle ... until it is almost dying at full speed. ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/vii the rhythm of life.htm

Prayer and Trouble
... is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble ... trouble, "Lord, what wilt thou
have me to do?" How natural and reasonable ... Trials give new life to prayer; ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the essentials of prayer/v prayer and trouble.htm

First Commandment
... I can see Moses as he delivers this address. His natural activity has not abated. ...
What do they look forward to? Nothing! Man's life is full of trouble; but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/first commandment.htm

On Religion; the Natural and Divine Life; and the Exemplification ...
... was wholly dead to all the pleasures of the natural life, it was ... The history of his
holy life, recorded by those who convened with him, is full of such ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part i on religion the.htm

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... immortal seed they are begotten of and there is a natural instinct to ... of this life
with the glory and felicity of this eternal life. ... But few and full of trouble ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture iv the scriptures reveal.htm

The New Nature
... it is as real as is the natural birth; for ... thou shalt be of few days and full of
trouble. ... first was a quickened soul"quickened, receiving life full a season ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the new nature.htm

The Peace-Bringer in the Natural World
... not be afraid,' for this awful universe is full of occasions ... word is able to produce
effects in the natural realm ... it may be with us amid the struggles of life. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the peace-bringer in the natural.htm

The Water of Life (Preached at Westminster Abbey)
... which natural birth cannot give to man, nor natural death take ... not seen this,"I have,
thank God, full many a ... will not come to Him, that they may have life. ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon i the water of.htm

Simplified Spelling.
... I like to say also, the true, the natural, life. ... rain, so there are betweens here
before full ripening of ... The Jesus-life abiding within and flowing freely out ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/simplified spelling.htm

Savonarola -- the Ascension of Christ
... Their natural powers could not do this; therefore He gave to ... Narrow is my path and
full of trouble; like Balaam's ... warned you to choose a virtuous life; I have ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/savonarola the ascension of.htm