Starting Out - Suffering and Glory (Study 11)

Suffering and Glory

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"If God is good, and all-powerful, why do people suffer?" How often we hear this question! Perhaps we ask it ourselves. Because of the deep feelings it arouses, we need humility and sensitivity, even in attempting an answer.

Christians do not claim to know the answer to every question raised by suffering, but the Bible does shed much light on the subject. Our thinking about suffering needs to be seen within the framework set out below. It will help to keep us steady in times of crisis.

There will always be details that we do not understand, but that does not mean that there is no explanation. God knows many things that we do not, and He is not obliged to explain everything. Nor would we understand if God were to tell us. Could a two-year-old child understand complex science?

Here, then, are some helpful signposts:

1. MAN’S SIN BROUGHT SUFFERING TO THE WORLD

God made a good world in which suffering had no part:

Genesis 1:31 (NKJV)
Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.
So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Man used his original freedom to rebel against God and, as a consequence, suffering and death entered the world:

Romans 5:12 (NIV)
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,
and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

In today’s society, suffering is often a direct consequence of human sinfulness and conflict. Sin is evil and inevitably leads to suffering. Behind the scenes, invisible to us, the Devil is at work. He is thoroughly malicious, and aims to inflict suffering on this world (Luke 13:11 & 16). The blame for suffering lies squarely both with man and the Devil.

2. GOD HAS ENTERED INTO OUR PAIN AND SUFFERING

God became a man in the person of His Son He is not indifferent to our pain, but shares in it - supremely so at the cross. He is an example of patient suffering:

1 Peter 2:21
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:23 (NIV)
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate;
when he suffered, he made no threats.
Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

What do you think is meant by these passages?

The readiness of Jesus to suffer should inspire us and silence any tendency to question God. He was willing to suffer — so let us accept it too, unless it can be avoided. We know enough about God to trust Him with the unexplained.

3. GOD COMMANDS US TO HELP THOSE WHO SUFFER

Jesus had compassion on the sick and healed them He has set us an example to follow. God would have us reduce the effects of sin, wherever possible:

James 1:27 (NKJV)
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this:
to visit orphans and widows in their trouble,
and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

4. GOD WILL CREATE A WORLD WITHOUT SUFFERING

Christians have something to look forward to. One day God will create a new Heaven and earth, in which suffering has no part:

Revelation 21:4 (NKJV)
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

5. GOD USES SUFFERING TO MAKE US RELY ON HIM

God may use suffering to bring people to Himself.

Suffering, like a surgeon’s knife, can be a "severe mercy". Christians are taught by suffering to rely on God and not themselves.

Paul’s "thorn" of suffering (2 Corinthians 12:7) enabled him to prove God’s strength:

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ's power may rest on me.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

If we bear the five points above in mind we shall not find fault with God when suffering comes.

IN A WORLD OF SUFFERING WHAT CAN CHRISTIANS EXPECT?

1. THEY CAN EXPECT TO SUFFER LIKE OTHERS

Our Lord suffered, and the people of God have always had to endure trials. It is important to grasp this, so that when we suffer we do not think that God has failed us. We are not promised exemption from the general experiences and sufferings of mankind:

2 Corinthians 1:8 (NKJV)
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,
of our trouble which came to us in Asia:
that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength,
so that we despaired even of life.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

2. THEY CAN EXPECT GOD’S HELP WHEN THEY SUFFER

Our misfortunes never catch God unawares. Though we may not understand why God is permitting our suffering, we can be sure that He is in control. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39).

We may wonder how we can possibly cope, but God never fails:

Psalm 46:1 (NKJV)
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.
"God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble."

What do you think is meant by this passage?

3. THEY CAN EXPECT TO GROW THROUGH SUFFERING

We must be open to this possibility. The Devil always hopes we will be angry at God and turn our backs on Him. If we resist this temptation, we will see God working wonders to bring good out of the most distressing circumstances of our life:

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are the called according to His purpose.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

The Lord is our Shepherd, leading us into green pastures (Psalm 23) — some of which are found in the most unexpected places. He knows what we need, and can teach us many lessons through suffering.

FINALLY: HEAVEN

The most important thing of all is to fix our eyes on Heaven before suffering comes. If all our hopes are here in this world, we will be unable to cope when health, loved ones and possessions are denied us. Christ has come to prepare us for a better world. To realise this gives us a perspective on suffering. It will not make it more pleasant, but it will help us to keep our balance.

So never forget that Heaven, not this world, is our home (Revelation 22:3-5) and to be with Christ is far better:

Philippians 1:23 (NIV)
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

What do you think is meant by this passage?

God is preparing us for Glory. We are not there yet, but already we can rejoice in what God has in store for us:

Luke 10:20 (NKJV)
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you,
but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Heaven will more than compensate for all the sufferings of this present life.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV)
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.

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