Suffering is not an easy topic to write about. Further, it is a
hard to accept or see God’s loving justice in suffering of any kind. If we are
in a relationship with God through Christ, then suffering is even more
confusing and questionable.
Why are we suffering while in a relationship with God through
Christ? Some of us are committed, loyal, and faithful followers of Christ and
yet we have experienced or are experiencing massive or horrendous suffering.
We have lost love ones through unbelievable types of death. We
have lost our health. We have lost spouses. We have lost money. We have lost
position. We have lost friendship. We have lost close family ties. We have lost
our renown. We have experienced failure, humiliation, rejection, undeserved
blame, isolation, abuse, loneliness, disability, long-term sickness, and
poverty of all kinds.
Yet, the bible says, “…Christ … suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV).
The bible provides ample stories about God’s people who had to endure some kind
of suffering. The book of Job is a prime example of suffering. Job was a
faithful servant of God “…perfect and
upright and one that feareth God and escheweth evil…” yet he experienced
suffering through horrendous lost (Job 1:1 KJV).
In fact, God allowed or permitted the suffering Job endured and “without cause.” “And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou
considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect
and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he
holdeth fast his integrity, although
thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause”
(Job 2:3 KJV).
Job’s suffering and pain was unbearable to read about or even
imagine, but he endured it without blaming God. “In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God”
(Job 1:22 KJV). At first glance, it seems Job’s suffering served no just,
spiritual, or wise purpose. It is not unusual to question God’s love during
difficult times. “And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a
pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not
that we perish?” (Mark 4:38 KJV).
How can God be loving when he allows or permits suffering? “…although
thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause”
(Job 2:3 KJV). Eventually, Job questions God too. “Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the
ghost when I came out of the belly?” (Job 3:11 KJV). “I
know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?” (Job 9:2 KJV).
“If a man die, shall he live again? all
the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come” (Job 14:14
KJV).
Job’s suffering didn’t make sense to him
and he couldn’t find an adequate or justifiable answer. Asking questions is the
best way to find answers. Elihu told Job, “…I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause…” (Job 5:9 KJV). Wise
men sought God (Matthew 1:1-12). “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually”
(1 Chronicles 16:11 KJV).
“…
those that seek
me early shall find me” (Proverbs 8:17 KJV). “…seek,
and ye shall find… (Matthew 7:7-8 KJV). “The
LORD [is] good …to the soul [that] seeketh him…” (lamentations 3:25
KJV). When suffering “..call
upon [God]… in the day of trouble: [He] will deliver [you]…” (Psalms 50:15
KJV). “Seek ye the Lord
while he may be found, call ye upon him
while he is near…” Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy
upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah
44:6-7 KJV).
However, when suffering, looking for answers
or explanations in finite man; misses the whole point. “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he
deceiveth himself”(Galatians 6:3 KJV). Job’s friends looked for answers in
Job by accusing him of some secret sin and Job thought it was about himself too.
“[It is] better to trust in the LORD than
to put confidence in man” (Psalms 118:9 KJV).
“Are [Job and his friends]… saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course
[he’s]…not! For
God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” So it is God who
decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it” (Romans 9:14-16 NLT). God has the sovereign right to do what he
wants with our lives whether we like it or not. . “…If
the Lord will, [I]
shall live, and do this, or that...” (James 4:16 KJV).
We belong to him. When
the sovereignty of God is realized and we finally surrender to the fact that
God is in control. We humbly agree, “…it is God who decides to show mercy. We
can neither choose it nor work for it” (Romans 9:14-16 NLT).
Elihu was instructmental
in showing Job and his friends this truth. “Wherefore,
Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. Behold, now I
have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. My words shall be of
the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. The spirit of God hath made me, and the
breath of the Almighty hath given me life. If thou canst answer me, set thy
words in order before me, stand up. Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the
clay. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand
be heavy upon thee. Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard
the voice of thy words, saying, I am
clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, He
putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. Behold, in this thou art not just: I will
answer thee, that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of
his matters” (Job 33:1-9 KJV). “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he
deceiveth himself”(Galatians 6:3 KJV).
Suffering is something Christ did as well. “…Christ … suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV). God “…spared not his own Son,
[from suffering,] but delivered him up for us all….?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).
We are to follow in his footsteps, which mean suffering will be a
part of the human experience for believers. “…Christ … suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV).
God’s standard is HOLINESS and suffering is sometimes a part of
his Sovereign wisdom for developing that holiness. Job’s suffering elicited a
deeper level of holy humility. “Who
is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I
understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not”
(Job 42:3 KJV). “You asked, ‘Who is this
that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about
things I knew nothing about, things far too
wonderful for me” (Job 42:3 NLT).
Regardless of his lack of knowledge and understanding of God’s
reasons for his suffering, Job ultimately needed to surrender to God’s omniscient,
finite decision to use Satan to further develop his spiritual life. “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the
ear: but now
mine eye seeth thee” (Job 42:5 KJV).
God’s corrects Job through Elihu. “…Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the
son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath
kindled, because
he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends
was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job”
(Job 33:1-10 KJV).
Job’s lack of understanding and lack of infinite, revelatory
knowledge, in questioning the finite God, whether intentional or unintentional,
was nonetheless a provocation to God’s sovereignty. “So
these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was
kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of
Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Also
against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned
Job…” (Job 33:1-10 KJV).
God wants his people to
grow and develop spiritually and become holy as he is holy. . “…be holy, because I am holy…”
(1 Peter 1:16 KJV). In the New Testament, Jesus learned obedience by the things
he suffered (Hebrews 5:8). A “season of suffering” is similar to a period of
pruning that aims at stimulating growth and more fruit bearing (John 15:2).
Holy humility is the best response to the omniscient will of God
and his use of trials in our lives. “Then the Lord answered Job out of the
whirlwind, and said, Who is this that
darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?”
(Job 38: 2 KJV). “Then
the Lord
answered Job from the whirlwind: “Who is this that
questions my wisdom with
such ignorant words?” (Job 38:2 NLT).
We learn, in the story of Job, to trust God when we don’t understand, because
we don’t understand, and since our
understanding is finite at best. “…I uttered that I
understood not;
things too wonderful for me, which I knew not”
(Job 42:3 KJV).
God challenged Job on his finiteness in comparison to his
infiniteness. God said to Job: “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare,
if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof,
if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the
foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the
morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or
who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of
the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a
swaddling band for it, And brake up for it my decreed place,
and set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come,
but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?” (Job 38:4-11 KJV).
It is only human,
during times of suffering, to question God. Job’s questions eventually helped
him uncover and seek pertinent information found only in the answer, which is
GOD. In the midst of his mind-boggling suffering, like David, Job “…sought
the LORD, and he heard [him], and delivered [him]… from all [his]
fears” (Psalm 34:4 KJV).
“I have
heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee” (Job 42:5 KJV).
God answers Job in
chapter 38 with his own set of questions and finite truths. “…The Lord answered Job…” (Job
38: 2 KJV). It is God’s response to Job that leads him to surrender to the
finite God and find peace to his many questions. “Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou
canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee…I have
heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but
now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes”
(Job 42:1, 6 KJV). “Then Job replied to
the Lord: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.
I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes
to show my repentance” (Job
42:1,6 NLT).
So Job’s suffering was not merely about what happened TO him, but also what happened
IN him. “…but
now mine eye seeth thee…” (Job
42:1, 6 KJV). Godly enlightenment is about spiritual growth and development.
It is clear, in the book of Job, that Satan cannot do anything to
you, without permission from God. God is sovereign over every created thing,
angel, or person and establishes boundaries as he pleases. “And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all
that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So
Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord” (Job 1:12 KJV).
“And
the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine
hand; but save
his life” (Job 2:9 KJV).
We all question God whenever we go through horrendous trials, but
often God’s
“…ways [are]… past finding out…”
(Romans 11:33-34 KJV).
Job also teaches us that suffering has nothing to do with how
righteous you are, but is based exclusively on God’s sovereign right to use
suffering to develop you, test you, correct you, make you holy, or enlighten you further through
his revelatory knowledge. “The steps of a good man are
ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way”
(Psalms 37:23 KJV).
The bottom line, God is worthy of all praise regardless of what we
face in this life! “..though he slay me, yet will I
trust in him…” (Job 13:15 KJV). Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed
be the name of the Lord…” Job 1:20-22 NASB).
The conclusion of Job’s suffering was his new revelatory enlightenment
of God. “…but now mine eye seeth thee…”
(Job 42:1, 6 KJV). It demonstrates the need to trust God during suffering whether you
agree with it or not. “…[Entrust yourself]… to him who judges justly…”
(1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV). Job’s personal knowledge of God deepened as well as his
holy humility as a direct result of his suffering. Job sought God and found
him.
Job’s story is a classic example of suffering and demonstrates God
cares about your spiritual development. God cares about the “…hidden man of
the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). The bible says all things work together for
good: God’s good. “…All things work together for GOOD (God’s
kind of good) to them that LOVE GOD, to them who are THE CALLED to his purpose”
(Romans 8:28 KJV).
Suffering, for the 21st century believer, “working together for good”, is about
your suffering mixing with the finished work of Christ on the cross. “…After
this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, … he said, It is finished: …” (John 19:28-30 KJV).
Once Job grew and developed through God’s grace, he received a
double blessings for all he had loss. “…Also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. The LORD blessed
the latter days of Job more than his beginning…”(Job 42:10, 12 KJV).
Job’s spiritual development had a priority over all that Job lost.
“…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be
added unto you…” (Matthew 6:33 KJV).
Most people believe that the greatest part of Job’s story was his double,
temporary, outward material blessings and not his double, eternal,
inward intangible blessings which is priceless!!
God said Job was “blameless and upright”. “..There is no
one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “”
(Job 1:7-12 NIV). “…Through all [his suffering]… Job did not sin nor did he
blame God “ Job 1:20-22 NASB). However, “…grow
in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be
glory both now and for ever. Amen.… ”(Matthew 23:27-28 KJV).
Job “did” not sin and was a “blameless and upright man.” God is the one who said
that about Job. However, “...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at
the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB).
After his season of suffering, Job was still “blameless and upright”
but had grown spiritually, which was a part of his DOUBLE blessing too!!
“…Also the Lord gave
Job twice as much as he had before. The LORD blessed
the latter days of Job more than his beginning…”(Job 42:10, 12 KJV).
What concluded Job’s suffering?
First Job repented. “Then Job replied to the Lord: “…I take back everything I
said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance” (Job 42:1-6 NLT).
Second he prayed for his friends. “…When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes…”(Job 42:10 NLT).
Job’s friends had given him “dark counsel” (Job 38:2) and
implied that his suffering was a sign of God’s punishment for some personal
sin. Their “dark counsel” made Job defensive about his own righteousness.
Job also deemed God unjust.
Job’s friends were wrong in their assessment of God and so was Job
in regard to God’s justice. However, after Job’s conversation with God, he
repented. “Then Job replied to the Lord:
“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is
this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking
about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said,
‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must
answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with
my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show
my repentance” (Job 42:1-6 NLT). Job repented and God instructed him to pray
for his friends.
Job said, “…I had only heard about you before, but I have
seen you with my own eyes…” (Job 42:1-6 NLT). Job was a “blameless
and upright” man, but was seeing God, with the eyes of his heart, for the
first time.
Job was experiencing direct communication with God. “…“Then
Job replied to the Lord… “You
said, ‘Listen and I will speak...” (Job 42:1-6 NLT).
“Then Job replied to the Lord:
“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you…” (Job 42:1-6
NLT). Job gained a deeper respect for God’s sovereignty and justice and it
resulted in godly sorrow. “…For the sorrow that is according to the will of
God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation…” (2
Corinthians 7:10 NIV). “… I take back everything I
said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance” (Job 42:1-6 NLT).
Job stopped questioning God’s justice, especially after God
challenges him. “Have you understood the expanse of the earth? Tell me
[Job], if you know ALL this” (Job 38:18 NIV). Job replied “I have declared that which I did not understand” (Job 42:3). “… there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is
great in might.…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).
Job repented and was instructed to pray for his friends. “…When Job prayed for his
friends, the Lord restored his
fortunes…”(Job 42:10 NLT).
Praying for his friends was the zenith of his suffering. Once Job
repented, was shown mercy, was restored, and graduated from his own personal
issues, he interceded for Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar “…and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer…” (Job
42:9 NLT). “….pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective
prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much…” (James 5:16 NASB).
“…When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes…” (Job 42:10 NLT). “…So
the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: … So Job
died, being old, and FULL of days...” (Job 42:12-17 KJV).
All human suffering “in” Christ culminates with a promise: “….that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…”(ROMANS 8:28 KJV. “…the
plans [God has]…for you….[are]… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and
a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
In order to fully benefit from suffering it is important to “…live
by faith, not by sight….” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). In order to look
forward to deliverance from suffering and bear its affliction, one must have
faith they will overcome. “…In this [fallen] world ye shall have
tribulation: but be of good cheer, [God has]… OVERCOME the world…” (John 16:33 KJV).
Only those “in” Christ who “…live by faith, not by sight...” will
overcome (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). Many people, including believers, go through
suffering from which they are not delivered and from which the affliction
defeats them. Many will NOT “…live by faith, [but]… by sight...”
thus will NOT overcome (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).
Many will NOT believe God, “….that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…”(ROMANS 8:28 KJV). OR
“…the plans [God has]…for [them]…. plans to prosper [them].. and not to harm
[them]…, plans to give [them]… hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
God alone “….[calls]… you out of darkness into his marvellous light…” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV). God
alone, “…. delivered [you].. out of all [your]..trouble…”
(Psalms 54:7 KJV). “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his
troubles” (Psalms 34:6 KJV).
God alone, “…in his kindness [has]…called you to share in his
eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a
little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will
place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).
“…for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
(grown in HOLINESS)…” (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV). God alone, sees the “…hidden man of the
heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). “…The LORD does not look at the things
people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the
LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV). “…So after you have suffered a
little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will
place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).
God cares about your spiritual growth and development. “…grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ… ”(Matthew 23:27-28 KJV).
“...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward
appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). Job grew in holy humility. “…God
…predestined
[you] to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Romans 8:29 NIV).
Jesus said, “…I am gentle and humble in heart…” (Matthew 11:29 NIV). What you know will puff you up, but WHO you
know will humble you.
Which would be a priority to God your outward attachments or your
inward holy character? “…he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
(or gained holiness)…” (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV). “..In the day
of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider-- God has made the one as
well as the other…” (Ecclesiastes 7:14 NASB).
“Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more
than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or
sisters—yes, more than his own life [or any other outward attachments]—otherwise he cannot be my
disciple” (Luke 14:26 NLT). “.. For
everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its
desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
(1 John 2:16-17 NLT).
“…Christ … suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his
steps…” (1
Peter 2:21 KJV). Suffering is not so much about what is or what has happened TO
you as much as what is happening or what has happened IN you. God’s
priority is the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV).
We are blessed, NOT simply for the mere outward things, how limiting, but for inward or for
possessing the “riches of his glory” The REAL blessing is that God has
“… [made] known… [to you]...the riches of the glory … which is Christ in you…” (Colossians 1:27
KJV). “Christ in YOU” is a double blessing which includes unlimited outward and
inward blessings!!!!!
“…As many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:2
NASB). “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according
to his will (outward or inward requests), he heareth us…” (1 John 5:14 KJV).
“…You can
ask for anything (a house or for ANSWERS) in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can
bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything
in my name, and I will do it...” (John 14:12-14 NLT). “…Not one of the good
promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB).
“…He has granted to [you]… His precious and magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB).
“…And God has given [you] his Spirit as proof that [you]… live in him
and he in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT). Therefore, “…Christ … suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV).
Christ suffered for you and when you suffer, he suffers “WITH
YOU.“ [God can]… be touched with the feeling of our infirmities…” (Hebrews 4:15 KJV).
Jesus enables you to endure suffering, “…that ye should follow his
steps…” (1
Peter 2:21 KJV). “[You] can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [you]...” (Philippians 4:13
KJV).
But even greater, not only does Jesus suffer with you, enabling you to go through
suffering, but he will absorb the suffering FOR YOU!! “….Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, YE HAVE DONE IT TO ME.” (Matthew 25:40 KJV).
Furthermore, when you go through horrendous suffering you can cast
your cares on Jesus. “...Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).
You can cast your cares for whatever you are suffering, because Christ
already suffered for you on the cross. In order to cast something, you have to let it go.
“...Christ … suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV).
“…When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to
him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV). Therefore, the example he
left us to follow is to entrust ourselves to Jesus during suffering!
The pain, if you give it to him by faith, becomes his pain. Jesus
personally took on those hurtful experiences on the cross, even before they
happened. He already suffered for you when “…he was pierced for our
rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed (Isaiah 53:5 NLT).
Whatever you suffer, “Avenge
not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God, for it is
written: "Vengeance belongeth unto to me; I will recompense (repay),"
saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19 ASV).
When you give it to God through Christ, he takes your suffering
upon himself. Follow his example and entrust yourself to God. “...Christ … suffered for us (already), leaving us an example,
that ye
should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV). “…When he suffered, …he entrusted
himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV). “…that ye should follow
his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV).
God took care of your suffering on the cross. When his disciples
were suffering by the hands of Saul, Jesus took it personal. “And Saul, yet breathing out
threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high
priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he
found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them
bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near
Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he
fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why
persecutest thou ME? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutes…” (Acts 9:1-7 KJV).
When you learn obedience and TRUST through the things you suffer
you “…have
learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [You]… know what it is
to be in need, and [you] ...know what it is to have plenty. [You]..have learned the secret of being content in any
and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:11-12
NIV). YOU, “…can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [you]....” (Philippians 4:13
KJV).
This is the key to TRANSFORMING SUFFERING: “…[Jesus]…
was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed (Isaiah 53:5 NLT). Jesus suffers with you. Jesus enables you to
go through suffering. Jesus absorbs your suffering. Jesus already suffered for
you when he took your suffering upon himself on the cross!
Therefore, “…[You] can do “all things” through Christ which strengtheneth
[you]....” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). God has “… [made] known… [to
you]...the riches of the glory … which is Christ in you…” (Colossians 1:27
KJV).
“…[Jesus]… was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed…” (Isaiah 53:5 NLT).
Therefore, “...Christ … suffered for [you already]…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV). “…Thanks be to
God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57
KJV). “…Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest
the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14
KJV). “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that
overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4 KJV).
Therefore, when you suffer “…[entrust yourself]…to him who
judges justly” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV). “...Christ … suffered for us, leaving us an example,
that ye
should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV). When you are suffering through things, “…let
the peace of God rule (or the kingdom of God rule) in your hearts … ” (Colossians 3:15-17
KJV). Remember, “[God’s]…kingdom [has] come. [God’s] will be done in earth (which is you), as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 KJV). “ …we have this treasure in earthen vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7
KJV).
“…In earth (which is you; earthen vessels), as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 KJV). In
heaven, “…God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no
more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away…” (Revelation 21:3-4 KJV). “…thy kingdom
come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth….” (Luke 11:2 KJV).
Physical death causes suffering, but “…I tell you, whoever
obeys my word will never see death” (John 8:51 KJV). ‘And whosoever liveth and
believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 8:51 KJV). “[God’s]…kingdom [has]
come. [God’s] will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 KJV). “…God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor
crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed
away…”
(Revelation 21:3-4 KJV). “…thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in
heaven, so in earth….” (Luke 11:2 KJV). “…Believest thou this?”
(John 8:51 KJV).
EXCERPT FROM THE
EXCERPT FROM THE
BY DR PENSACOLA H JEFFERSON
