I can’t remember a time when so many friends were under such physical, mental, and/or spiritual attack. Maybe it’s a sign of my age. Maybe it’s the result of the chaos in our sin-filled world. I don’t know. I do know that there are many people suffering and being challenged.
The Psalmist cried out, “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1) It’s human to ask, “Why, Lord? Why is this happening to me?” In George MacDonald’s book Donal Grant, the character Arctura says to Donal, “You speak always like someone who has suffered.” To which Donal replies, “Who has not suffered that lives at all?”
Someone has said, “Indeed, life is suffering: contradiction, misfortune, disappointment, and heartbreak surround us.” And Paul and Barnabas strengthened and encouraged new followers of Jesus by telling them, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22) Why must we go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God?
I used to believe I knew the answers to those questions, but life – now that I’m much closer to its end than to its beginning – has knocked most of them right out of my head. God rebuked Job and his friends, as Jesus did when His disciples drew unwarranted conclusions from suffering. In the face of affliction, I’m learning now to be more silent. When my friends tell me their lives are difficult, I answer, “I understand and will pray for you.” When they ask me why they’re suffering, I tell them, “I really don’t know, but my God knows your suffering intimately and loves you dearly.”
Why life should be this way, I cannot say, but I do know this: It will not always be this way; there will be an end. Eternal glory lies ahead, as Peter promised, “The God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” (1 Peter 5:10) And Paul adds, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
There in that “eternal school room” our Lord will explain “each separate anguish,” but I doubt we will care then. Instead, we will bask in the awesome flood of His presence. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Revelation 21:4) My friends, it’s a matter of perspective; God’s perspective.
Scripture Reading: Lamentations 3:19-26, 31-33
Personal Application: If you are enduring something difficult right now, instead of asking “Why, Lord?” tell the Lord that you trust Him. Praise Him and thank Him that He loves you and is in control. Which of the passages above speaks to you most right now and why?
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5