Month: September 2018

By Martin Girard

In his first epistle, Peter took up the subject of suffering. He referred to the sufferings of Christ for us (1 Pet. 2:21), and what it means for someone to suffer as a Christian (4:16). Suffering can be experienced for a number of causes. Physical illness and infirmity can lead to pain. Somebody reading this magazine may well be confined to bed and undergoing suffering from which there seems to be no relief. Such experiences are not to be minimized or regarded as trivial, for they are not. But the purpose of this article is to focus on one specific form of suffering which Peter mentioned. He cautioned his readers not to suffer for a wrong reason: for murder, theft, evil-doing, or even being a busybody. Indeed, one ought to expect unpleasant consequences from engaging in such wrong things. Sin should make us ashamed. “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed” (4:16 KJV, emphasis added). Rather, “let him glorify God” when such an experience arises.

Suffering as a Christian has continued in every generation since Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Before that time, in the Old Testament era, God’s believing people suffered at the hands of enemies as well. Today, all over the world, we can find examples of Christians suffering. In some countries where a militant and aggressive religion prevails, Christian believers experience brutal persecution. But in other places where Christians are free to meet openly for worship, we can also discover instances of persecution.

Examples could be given of Christians who have been taken to court for acting according to conscience and refusing to submit to humanistic laws. Faced with losing their job or having to pay a fine for failing to promote same-sex relationships, some believers have been made to “pay the price” for their biblical beliefs. While there is no merit in suffering for evil doing, one who has to suffer “for well doing” according to the will of God can bring glory to Him. In fact, Peter moved on immediately from this statement to consider how Christ suffered for our sins (3:17-18).

Reasons For Persecution
Actually there may be no reasons for persecution! The writer of the longest psalm had many persecutors and enemies, but he declared, “Princes have persecuted me without a cause” (Ps. 119:157,161). There was no valid reason why they should persecute him. However, the next words spoken are revealing: “But my heart standeth in awe of Thy Word.” Perhaps this explains why he had been caused to suffer. Satan detects – and hates – any sign of faithfulness to the Word of God. Evidently the “princes” referred to were proud of their own authority and rejected the truth of God. The psalmist’s respect for God and His Word provoked their derision, ridicule, mockery and scorn.

In the New Testament we find a number of reasons why believers may suffer. The Lord Jesus pointed out to His disciples that if He experienced persecution, they could expect to face it too (Jn. 15:20). The way in which the Lord Jesus responded to opposition teaches us how we should respond. Actually, Peter told us that the way in which Christ reacted provides us with an example we should follow (1 Pet. 2:21-23). Since He was hated without a cause it ought not to surprise us if we experience the same. Paul affirmed, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). A godly life therefore can provoke opposition. We may find we are persecuted “for righteousness’ sake” – in other words, for actually doing the right thing (Mt. 5:10)! Preaching the message of the cross, which is a “right” thing to do, can also arouse the hatred of men, for man in his pride finds the message offensive and prefers some kind of “works” in which he can glory. Paul referred to this in Galatians, where he made it very clear that some preferred to preach circumcision* in order to avoid the persecution associated with the cross (5:11, 6:12).

The message of the Bible is never popular. Jesus spoke of tribulation or persecution arising “because of the Word” (Mt. 13:21). There will always be the temptation to give people what they want to hear, but that will never do. Early believers who were beaten and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus “departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). Their love for the Master lessened the pain. They remembered what He had suffered for them and gladly accepted the beating for His sake. Persecution, therefore, may come to us for the Lord’s sake, for faithfulness to the truth or for living a godly life.

Something To Remember
Those who suffer in the cause of Christ must remember that there is a divine purpose in it. Although we may not be aware of that purpose now, one day we will understand. At the present time it is certainly true that “tribulation worketh patience” (Rom. 5:3). The trials we experience can be used by God to develop both patience and a spirit of perseverance in us. For this reason we must accept God’s wise and loving dealings with us and be “patient in tribulation” (12:12), like the Thessalonian believers (2 Th. 1:4). Paul actually took pleasure “in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake” (2 Cor. 12:10) for he knew that when he was conscious of human weakness he could draw upon the greater divine strength.

In Daniel 3 we have the account of three faithful men who were cast into a burning, fiery furnace because of their refusal to engage in idolatry. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was astounded to see not three but four men in that furnace, walking about freely and unharmed by the intense heat of the fire. The Lord Himself, who was with His children in their trial, brought them safely out. The record of their experience can encourage us greatly. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ, not even persecution (Rom. 8:35)! Paul, who suffered much, could write of being “persecuted, but not forsaken” (2 Cor. 4:9). Those who hurt the Lord’s people hurt Him too, as Saul discovered while on his way to arrest believers in Damascus (Acts 9:4-5). Any who face severe sufferings for Christ’s sake can discover a super-abundant consolation (2 Cor. 1:5). The experience of the three Israelites in the furnace confirms to us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1, emphasis added).

Some other facts ought not to be forgotten. The Lord will deliver the righteous from all their troubles as He delivered David (34:6,17). We ought not to forget that the death of a believer can be the means He uses to provide deliverance. Paul’s writings assure us that our present sufferings cannot compare with the glory that lies before us (Rom. 8:18). Although he suffered as an evil-doer would, Paul’s eye was on the future and he looked forward to reigning with Christ (2 Tim. 2:9,12). He knew, humanly speaking, that he deserved none of this grace because he was guilty of persecuting believers unto death (Acts 22:4) and, for this reason, was not fit to be called an apostle (1 Cor. 15:9). But in mercy the Lord saved him, and He can still do the same. Some of those who persecute God’s children today may yet repent and humbly turn to Christ. If they refuse, then they will, of course, face His judgment.

Responding To Persecution
I think when we experience persecution it is wise to pause and ask the Lord what He may be saying. On one occasion, at least, the disciples were told by the Lord Jesus to interpret persecution as a sign that they should move from the town where they were hated to another (Mt. 10:23). By contrast, Paul often simply endured suffering and stayed where he was (1 Cor. 4:12). Much wisdom is needed in order to know what the Lord wants us to do. There is certainly nothing wrong in praying for deliverance like David did: “O LORD my God, in Thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me” (Ps. 7:1). In desperate need Hezekiah turned to God and cried, “O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me” (Isa. 38:14). We are certainly invited to call upon Him in our need, for we read, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me” (Ps. 50:15). Troubles and suffering must not cause us to doubt. Rather, we need to maintain our trust in the Lord.

Something else, however, needs to be considered. Remember how the Lord Jesus prayed for His enemies as He was nailed to the cross. Instead of blaming them or pointing to their hatred, He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34). How amazing! The Lord Jesus knew what they did not know. He had come to be the Sin-bearer, and in His sacrifice He was making provision for their forgiveness if only they would believe. His purpose for His people is that they should have the same spirit of compassion. “Love your enemies,” He declared, “bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Mt. 5:44). The flesh within us would treat them as they have treated us, but the Saviour points us to a higher way. Romans 12:14 confirms this: “Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not.” Notice how Paul repeated the exhortation just in case we have missed it the first time! “Yes, I mean it!” he, in a sense, declared. “Those who have cursed you are to be blessed, not cursed!”

Naturally, suffering is one of the last things we would choose. It is, however, a privilege! Paul rejoiced in it (Col. 1:24) and could speak of being “exceeding joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Cor. 7:4). Of course, we must not go out of our way to seek persecution by provoking other people, but if it should come our way we must remember that we are in good company. The prophets of old suffered for their faithfulness. Think of the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 5:10-12: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

A Vast Subject
The many verses quoted in this article have proved, without question, that this subject is vast. As followers of the Lord Jesus, who was rejected in this world, we should not expect popularity. Rather, we should expect the kind of treatment He received at the hands of men.

Our responsibility is to “relieve the oppressed” (Isa. 1:17). We ought not to make life more difficult for anyone by our unhelpful remarks. Job charged his three “friends” with persecuting him (Job 19:22) rather than comforting him.

In many countries today laws are being passed that flatly contradict God’s Word. By remaining faithful to God and to Scripture, those living in such countries may well find they are treading a pathway of suffering. May the Lord strengthen us for whatever lies ahead and give us the grace to remain faithful to Him. Let us also continue to support and pray for those who suffer for Him.

ENDNOTE
* Galatians contrasts circumcision, the law and efforts of the flesh with faith, grace and the Spirit’s work.

By Richard Barnett

All of us wish that we could live in a world without suffering, where, figuratively speaking, the sun was always shining; the sky was always blue; and there were no dark clouds. But the sad reality is that suffering is all around us and has become a part of our existence. Its effects are seen in natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes that have devastated countries like Haiti. Wars and conflicts in such places as Syria, Iraq and South Sudan have brought tremendous suffering, causing vast numbers of refugees to flee for safety, often with the loss of lives. Additionally, people suffer physically and emotionally through sickness, starvation, rejection, abandonment and bullying. Many children suffer from alcoholic parents and through marriage breakups. The list could go on and on.

It is unfortunate that God is often blamed for all the grief and pain in the world. The Bible is God’s handbook, even on suffering. Therefore, let’s take a look at suffering from the biblical viewpoint.

The Origin Of Suffering
At the beginning of time, God made Adam and his wife and placed them in an earthly paradise He had prepared: the garden of Eden. One definition of Eden is “delights.” The garden was furnished with everything for which the heart and eye could wish: “Every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gen. 2:9 KJV). God, in His goodness and tender-loving care, assured man’s enjoyment, comfort and well-being. When God surveyed His work He pronounced everything “very good” (1:31). The finishing touch was the presence of God Himself with Adam and his wife, visiting in the cool of the day to have fellowship with them. I want to emphasize that they were living at this point in an ideal environment, where suffering did not exist and was therefore unknown in their experience.

God gave to Adam one command: “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (2:16-17). Since God was man’s Creator, He had every right to demand obedience from Adam. Therefore He put him under the responsibility of obedience.

Most of us are familiar with the sad events that followed, as recorded in Genesis 3. Satan appeared on the scene in the form of a serpent – full of craft and deceit – and questioned Eve as to God’s command. This one who is a “liar” (Jn. 8:44) suggested God was holding back something from them which would actually enhance their happiness, and that He was lying when He told them that they would die if they disobeyed. Adam’s wife believed Satan, took of the fruit of the tree and ate it. Offered some of the fruit by his wife, Adam also took of it and ate, willfully disobeying God. Observe in Genesis 3 the vast and sudden spiritual, moral and social change that took place because of that one act of disobedience:

1. Their eyes were opened (v.7), meaning there was now an awakened conscience.
2. They had become alienated from God, for they hid themselves (v.8).
3. They were afraid of God (v.10).
4. Adam blamed God: “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (v.12).
5. There would be enmity between the Seed of the woman – that Seed being Christ – and the serpent’s seed, or followers (v.15).
6. Christ would “crush” (JND) the serpent’s head but would Himself be bruised (v.15). This was the first prophetic announcement that Christ would suffer. Isaiah predicted that it would be on account of our sins: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities” (Isa. 53:5 KJV). Peter confirmed what Isaiah had written: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18). This is what we mean when we say that He suffered vicariously – that is, He suffered on our behalf – in order to put sin away and reconcile us to God.
7. God said to the woman, “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow” (Gen. 3:16), which was something that they had not known before.
8. The ground was now cursed, causing Adam to labor and toil for the rest of his life (vv.17-19).
9. Death was pronounced upon mankind: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (v.19).

All these changes are found as we read of man’s fall into sin, and therefore we can rightly conclude that suffering is a result of the entrance of sin into the world.

Expect Suffering
For that reason, we must expect suffering. Job said that “man born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” and “yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 14:1, 5:7). Before Jesus went to the cross He told His disciples, “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). After the Church was formed, Paul told the followers of Christ, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

Clearly suffering is a part of God’s ways with us – His children. Therefore we should not despair or be filled with a sense of hopelessness, even when things seem out of control, for God is still the Omnipotent – the All Powerful – One who is for us and with us. In all our afflictions, He is afflicted (Isa. 63:9); He enters into our sufferings like no other. He is “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3).

Old Testament saints such as Job, Moses, Joseph and David provide examples of suffering. In Job’s case, he lost his children, possessions and health. Compounding his suffering, his wife suggested that he “curse God and die” (Job 2:9); but Job’s response proved his confidence in God’s wisdom and care. This greatly suffering man knew nothing of what was taking place behind the scenes, that Satan wanted to destroy his soul. Job, however, knew that God was in control of his life and circumstances, and he would trust Him unreservedly. The end result was that God blessed Job even more than at his beginning.

The great thing to remember in our sufferings is that Christ is our sympathetic Great High Priest who is interceding for us in heaven (Heb. 4:14-15), while the Holy Spirit is doing the same for us on earth (see Rom. 8:26,34). Furthermore, the love of God is a banner over us from which nothing can separate, for “who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life … shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (vv.35-39).

The Value Of Suffering
God in His perfect wisdom and His abundant mercy uses suffering as a tool to benefit us. He turns something bad into something good. The principle of suffering and its merits are seen even in nature:

• Bitter medicine must be administered to one who is sick, but when received it does its work and the sufferer is made well again.
• Wheat has to be ground into flour, made into dough and then placed into the oven before it becomes bread to feed the hungry.
• Gold must be melted by intense heat and the impurities skimmed off before it is made into beautiful jewelry to adorn the hands and necks of its wearers.

In like manner God uses suffering to prune and cleanse us that we might become fruitful for His pleasure (Jn. 15:2). Such fruit as purity, love, patience, meekness and compassion are what God desires to see in us. In Genesis, Joseph suffered unjustly at the hands of his brothers and later through the lies of Potiphar’s wife, but in time God delivered and promoted him to a place of great prominence in Egypt. Out of his own experience he said, “The LORD has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction” (41:52). God used him as an instrument of blessing to many.

David was despised by his brothers and hated by King Saul, who attempted to take away his life. He lost sons and friends in tragic ways; he suffered and wept much. In Psalms, he poured out his inner feelings – and these are written for our “encouragement” (Rom. 15:4 JND). Did David gain from his sufferings? Listen to his testimony as he spoke of the faithfulness of God and the blessings that he obtained:

• “Trouble and anguish have taken hold upon me; yet Thy commandments are my delights” (Ps. 119:143 KJV).
• “I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me” (v.75).
• “Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept Thy word” (v.67).
• “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies” (v.59).

I remember when I went through a very painful time of suffering. It compelled me to draw closer to the Lord, and to pray and search the Scriptures like I had never done before. With these resources I was mercifully sustained during that dark period in my life. I was also helped by many of my Christian brothers and sisters who prayed for and encouraged me. Did I enjoy suffering? I did not, and there were times when I wondered if God had forgotten me. I am convinced that Satan tried to discourage me, but “the righteous cry and the LORDheareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (34:17). So speaking for myself, “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles” (v.6).

Peter saw suffering as a trial of faith which will ultimately end when the Lord returns (1 Pet. 1:7). He looked at suffering in three ways:

• “Suffering for righteousness sake” – to be scorned and persecuted for doing what is right (see Mt. 5:10-11);
• “Reproach for the name of Christ” – not to be ashamed to own Him as our Lord and Savior even when someone might make fun of us, and to gather simply to His name in spite of what the majority does; and
• “Suffering as a Christian” – to respond to insults and injury in a Christ-like manner and by the denial of self.

In all these things we become partakers of Christ’s sufferings “that, when His glory shall be revealed, we may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Pet. 3:14, 4:13-16). There is great consolation in the way Peter ended his first epistle: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle you” (5:10).

The End Of Suffering
When the redemption of our bodies takes place, suffering will be one of those “things” that will pass away forever from us, and we shall enter into the joy of our Lord. Then will follow for the earth a period of trouble such as it has never seen before: the seven year tribulation period.

After this, the Church, previously caught up to heaven, will return with the Lord Jesus to reign with Him. His reign will result in this groaning creation being brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom. 8:21). The prophet Isaiah wrote in glowing terms of that age to come: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:6-9). “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing … Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert … And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (35:1-10). Isaiah 65 adds, “The voice of weeping shall be no more heard, nor the voice of crying” (v.19), and God will “create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind” (vv.16-17).

The first heaven and the first earth will pass away, and with them all that sin had brought in. They will be replaced with a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1) where only righteousness will dwell. God will restore things far beyond what they were at the beginning, “and there shall be no more curse” (Rev. 22:3).

The end of it all, that for which we long and which has encouraged millions of suffering saints down through the centuries, is what we read in Revelation 21:4: “And 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.” God Himself drying our tears – just think of it!

Conclusion
Paul, who suffered like no other New Testament saint (2 Cor. 11:23-33), wrote: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). That day of glory is coming soon when we will “bless the hand that guided, we’ll bless the heart that planned, when throned where glory dwelleth, in Immanuel’s land” (Anne Ross Cousin, 1824-1906).

Finally, I must give a word of caution to you if you are not saved. The sufferings you are experiencing now are just the beginning. They will last eternally and be intensified should you die in your sins. But by repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21), you will be saved now and for all eternity; and thus you too can look forward to an eternity of bliss with Christ our Savior.

	The Rich Man	Lazarus
Before Death	A man rich by the world’s standards, who dressed in fine clothes and lived cheerfully in splendor every day in his gated home.	A poor man who had listened to the word of God shared through Moses and the prophets. He was covered in sores and laid at the rich man’s gate, longing to be fed with crumbs.
After Death	Was in a torment of flame in hades. Able to see Abraham and Lazarus afar off, this man was unable to have even a drop of water to cool his tongue or warn his brothers as to judgment for unbelief.	Was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom in heaven, and he was comforted there.

By Bill Kulkens

Everyone Suffers
It may be hard to believe at first, but every living thing suffers at some point. Suffering comes to us all because of Adam and Eve’s original sin in the garden of Eden. God had warned them that “in the day” they ate of the forbidden tree, they would surely die (Gen. 2:17 NKJV). Death is separation, and that is exactly what happened.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s one command not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, their relationship with God immediately changed from being with Him to being separated from Him. They suffered the loss of their fellowship with God. Also, the suffering of physical death came upon Adam and Eve. This has impacted all of creation, including you and me!

Because of sin, Adam and all who lived after him no longer had the benefit of harvesting food without a struggle (3:17-19). Work and toil is now necessary to get bread, thus we are suffering the loss of ease which Adam enjoyed prior to his disobedience. Eve and all mothers experience the suffering of pain, which was not part of the original creation, in child bearing (v.16).

Adam and Eve also suffered a change in their relationship between each other as husband and wife. Eve’s relationship towards Adam would now include struggles (v.16). Both Adam and Eve lost the harmony they enjoyed together and would face struggles with each other.

Some Reasons We Suffer
Besides death and the other changes that came into the human family because of sin, we suffer for some other reasons:

Sowing And Reaping – We suffer because of what we do. The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Galatia: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Gal. 6:7-8).
Correction – We suffer because we need to be corrected. In James 5:14-16 we read of a Christian experiencing illness as a result of not confessing and dealing with sin in his life.
Revealing Our Spiritual Condition – We may suffer in a test allowed by God that we might know where we are in the Christian life. The Lord used the 40 years that the children of Israel spent in the desert to help them realize what was in their hearts (Dt. 8:2).
Learning – We can suffer in order to learn something that we did not know before: to learn more obedience (Heb. 5:8), more endurance (Rom. 5:4), more feelings for others who suffer (2 Cor. 1:3-4), and more maturity (Jas. 1:4).
The Example Of Job
It is helpful to look at a few examples in Scripture to see the lessons learned from suffering. Job is a very good example for us. At the beginning of Job’s story he had a happy life. He was a man of blameless character and upright. This man had a big family with a wife and ten children. He had many possessions, including a large number of animals, a big house and many servants. Job “was the greatest of all the people of the East” (Job 1:3). Also, he was in good health.

Without Job’s knowing it, God was watching and blessing him. A challenge by Satan to God was made about Job, also without Job’s knowledge. Satan claimed that God’s blessings were the only reason that Job was a faithful man. This accuser continued to say that Job would be unfaithful if the blessings did not continue. Satan wanted to destroy Job’s faith in God. God allowed Satan to bring suffering into Job’s life to prove Job’s character, but He would only allow Satan to do this without taking Job’s life.

Satan caused Job to suddenly lose all of his blessings from God. Much of Job’s livestock was stolen, while enemies killed the rest. His servants were attacked and killed, and all of Job’s children died when a great wind tore apart the house where they were all eating and drinking. This all happened in a very short period of time. Of all that Job had possessed, there remained only four messengers who brought the sad news to him and his wife.

Job responded by accepting what happened. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (v.21).

Then Satan had one more form of suffering he wanted to challenge God with about Job. Satan harmed Job’s health, causing painful skin boils to cover Job’s entire body. Even this suffering did not cause Job to curse God.

Job learned many wonderful lessons as he suffered. He realized that God was watching over him every moment: “For now You number my steps” (14:16). Job appreciated God counting every step that he would take in his brief life here on earth. What a beautiful thought! We can say the same as believers in Christ. The Lord tells us in Matthew 10:30 that He has numbered every hair on our heads. This shows how much the Lord cares about us: He is interested in every detail of our lives!

Job grew in his understanding that one day he would see his Redeemer. He learned about the resurrection of his own body and said, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27).

We too have this blessed hope of one day seeing the Lord. The Lord Jesus has promised those of us who believe in Him that one day He will return and take us to be with Himself. Jesus said, “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (Jn. 14:3).

Job was a praying man. He prayed for his own children at the beginning of the story. After suffering, he learned to pray for his friends (Job 42:10). He had learned the need to pray for even those who were not part of his family. Likewise, we should not only pray for our families but for others as well. In 1 Timothy 2:1 the apostle Paul wrote: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.”

There are many more lessons we can learn from the life of Job. The ones mentioned are but a few. It is wonderful to learn that God restored all to Job that Satan had taken away. Job received back even more than he had had before the suffering. In the end, God blessed His faithful servant; He will bless us for being faithful too.

The sufferings we may experience by being faithful in this life are only for a short while. God will bless us in the end. We may not experience this blessing in our lifetime; however, we will be blessed after this life is over. Paul told the Corinthian believers that suffering was only for a moment, “therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18). “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).

The Apostle Paul
Through the apostle Paul’s experiences we learn another very important reason why God allows suffering in the believer’s life. In 2 Corinthians 12:1-6 Paul described a man who went to the third heaven and came back to earth again. Paul spoke of this person as if it were someone other than himself, but after he shared this experience we learn he was the person spoken about.

His experience would be something that could bring about pride in his heart. God, who is the only one concerned about our humility, would not allow Paul to become proud. Instead, God allowed a messenger from Satan to bring into Paul’s life some suffering. Paul described this suffering as “a thorn in the flesh” (v.7). Some believe it was a physical form of suffering that involved Paul’s vision (see Gal. 4:15, 6:11). Others consider the thorn in the flesh to be a false teacher who opposed Paul. However, Scripture does not clearly define the thorn in the flesh. Therefore each one of us can consider suffering that would humble us to be a thorn in the flesh that the Lord allows.

Paul prayed three times that this thorn in the flesh would be removed. God allows suffering to cause us to come to Him for help. Each time God answered Paul’s prayer by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Paul learned to accept this suffering, which enabled him to remain humble, as God’s will for his life. He experienced the abundant grace that God supplied to match the suffering, empowering him to endure it.

There is a special lesson that we learn from Paul’s experience. Unlike Job, God did not remove the suffering from Paul’s life. We too may have the same experience. God may allow some form of suffering in our lives that will remain for a long time or, perhaps, for the rest of our lives. God wants us to come to Him in prayer, seek His perfect will, and rely upon His perfect timing. If God does not remove the suffering, He will supply the needed grace! This grace is sufficient because it comes from the Lord.

Paul understood that God’s purpose was to keep him humble. This understanding also helped Paul accept the trial and even boast in his infirmities to the glory of God. Paul wanted to experience even more of the power of Christ in his life, knowing that when he was weak in himself, he was strong in the Lord! We can look at sufferings in our own lives in the same way that Paul did.

Conclusion
Suffering is a very big subject. We have only looked at a few examples. The supreme example for the believer is, of course, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Some of His sufferings we cannot enter into, but the sufferings He experienced as a Man in this world filled with sin are left for us as an example. Study the Scriptures to learn more on this important subject.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid up for faith in God’s excellent word!
What more can He say, than to you He has said –
You who to the Saviour for refuge have fled?

If through fiery trials our pathway should lie,
His grace all-sufficient shall be our supply;
The flame shall not hurt us;
His only design is the dross to consume and the gold to refine.

Fear not, He is with us; oh, be not dismayed!
For He is our God, and will still be our aid;
He’ll strengthen us, help us, and cause us to stand,
Upheld by His gracious omnipotent hand.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
He will not (He’s said it) give up to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,
He’ll never – no, never – no, never forsake.

—Richard Keene (Died 1787)