Our reading in 1 Peter touches on suffering again, a few days ago we looked at "the purpose of the Lord" in suffering. If the Lord has a purpose in suffering then you could also say that the Lord has a design in suffering and if the Lord has a design in suffering then you could say that ultimately God is behind all suffering. I confess this is a hard pill to swallow, what does 1 Peter 2:21-25 and the rest of God's Word have to say?
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
To this you have been called, called to what? Suffering, and Jesus has left you an example...Oh, and when you suffer don't be surprised at the test...test? Yes, test!
1 Pe 4:12-16 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name
As God's children we can rest in knowing that regardless of what comes to us that ultimately God is behind it working to the good of HIS children, those HE redeemed with the precious blood of HIS Only Begotten Son. Job was never told the reason for his suffering, but he saw God. Below are several scriptures pertaining to suffering.
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1. Expect suffering.
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John 15:19–20; 16:2, 20, 33; Heb. 12:9–10; 2 Tim. 3:12
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2. Commit your soul to God at the very beginning of your suffering.
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Ps. 3:5–6; 37:3; 31:5; Dan. 3:14–18; Heb. 6:17–20; 1 Pet. 4:19
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3. Don’t try to understand all the reasons for your suffering.
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Rom. 8:28
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4. Realize others suffer.
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1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Pet. 5:8–9
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5. Pray while in your suffering.
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Ps. 50:15; Job 42:10; James 5:13; Mark 9:20–24
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6. Don’t despise your suffering.
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Heb. 12:5
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7. Don’t faint because you’re suffering.
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Prov. 24:10; Heb. 12:5
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8. Patiently endure your suffering in a steadfast way.
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Rom. 12:12; 2 Tim. 2:3; James 5:10; 1 Pet. 2:20
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9. Thank God for your sufferings.
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Ps. 42:5; 1 Thess. 5:18
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10. Rejoice because of your sufferings.
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Acts 5:40–41; 16:25; Phil. 4:4; James 1:2; 5:11
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11. Don’t become a self-made martyr because of your sufferings.
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Heb. 12:12–13
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12. Don’t suffer needlessly.
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1 Pet. 2:20; 3:17; 4:15–17
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13. Weigh your current suffering against the coming glory.
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John 16:20–21; Rom. 8:18
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In 1 Pete'er 4:19 Peter says, "so those who suffer according to God's will." Did you see that? They suffer according to God's will. The Purpose of God in Suffering...the design of God in suffering...in "Genuine faith tested" we looked at how God uses suffering to refine our faith. If we think about Job's experience at the end of Job "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes," and Peter's words in 4:16..."Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. " I believe that God uses suffering to reveal His glory to his children. Think about Job, from what we see Job is never told why he suffered as he did...BUT he had an amazing encounter with God...do you think that seeing God was sufficient? I believe that it was more than sufficient!
How should the child of God respond to suffering? I believe that we need to ask ourselves some pointed questions like:
How is God working in the midst of this set circumstances to refine my faith through suffering? What is my heavenly Father seeking to teach me about HIMSELF, what is HE seeking to reveal to me about HIM in the midst of suffering? In the midst of our suffering we must cry out for a glimpse of the Almighty. Through this fiery ordeal am I running toward God in desperation on HIM OR am I running away mad, thinking that HE has been unfair? Is there something in my life that I need to repent of and turn from, something that the suffering has brought to light?
Some one has well said, when you can't trace HIS hand trust HIS heart...Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
love,
m