LW Baptist

By Rolland Coburn

Pastor

We all wonder about suffering, and why fine people go through it. Many are hurting and see no value in or from it at all. They can make no sense of it. The Bible records the faith of three Hebrew youths who were facing extreme and immediate suffering. They said, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, and he will. But if not, we will go through it,” (Daniel 3:17). What about the “if not?” What then? What is the “going through it?” The Lord himself explains, “The righteous perishes, and no one takes it to heart. Devout people are taken away, no one understanding that the righteous is taken away from evil. The righteous enters into peace. They rest in their beds, each one who walked in the upright way,” (Isaiah 57:1). Writing to suffering believers all over the Roman empire, Peter spoke of a fellowship of suffering together with one another and in common with their Savior, who suffered before them. “Inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed,” (1 Peter 4:13). Scripture remarks on this faith. “Your perseverance and faith amid all your persecutions and afflictions you endure plainly indicate God’s righteous judgment and your worthiness in God’s eyes for his kingdom for which you are suffering,” (2 Thessalonians 1:4). Joseph, the Old Testament patriarch, likewise endured 20 years of suffering. Astounding the perpetrators, his own brothers who feared reprisal, Joseph eased their panic. “As for you, you meant it for evil against me. God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result and save many people alive,” (Genesis 50:20). One apostle suffered chronic pain and asked the Lord repeatedly to take it away. The Lord answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul responds astonishingly: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me,” (2 Cor 12:9). Those who suffer according to God’s will get to know their Lord better and draw ever closer to him. We need to minister to hurting people all around us. The Lord calls to us: “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God,” (Isaiah 40:1). Indeed may he comfort and strengthen your hearts, as you do his purpose.