Legacy
SUFFERING
By Karl C. Priest August 4, 2011 (revised 8-9-11)
I have, "been there and done that." I am sure that we all have stories of valleys that God has guided us through. There have been times in my life when I thought I could not go on. That must be what inspired "Footprints in the Sand." I know suffering has inspired songs like "It is well with my Soul".
I know seven men who are undergoing terrible hardships involving financial, health, marital, and or other very serious issues.
They are all wonderful warriors for God.
For many weeks thinking of these men burdened me. Recently during devotions, the Lord laid on my heart that I should rejoice. Rejoice, not that these men are suffering, but that He is in control. I had been doubting and almost pouting. I greatly respect each man and my human mind cannot grasp God's goodness in their grief. That may be normal, but it is not the attitude a Bible believer should have.
The very next day, the verses that came up for my devotions were:
Hebrews 13
[8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
II Corinthians 4
[8] We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
[9] Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
[18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Philippians 4
[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
NO KIDDING! God opened my eyes and just in case I needed an exclamation point added to His message the newsletter arrived from the David Wilkerson ministry that had a letter written by him shortly before his traffic death warning of the danger of unbelief.
Snips:
God has imbedded in me a dread of unbelief. I thank God for revealing in Scripture the harm and ruin caused by it. We Christians have taken this matter too lightly, supposing our heavenly Father overlooks the doubts of those in great trials and afflictions .
I once thought the Lord ought to give slack to believers in seemingly hopeless situations. As I pondered the disciples in their sinking ship, I thought, "Lord, they were overwhelmed. It looked hopeless. Their response was only human." Yet Jesus reprimanded them for having "little faith."
There is a time to weep — when Jesus says to us lovingly, "Go ahead, cry. I bottle every precious tear." We are told over and over in Scripture that we serve a loving Father who is touched by our feelings. Therefore, we dare not linger on our fears and doubts. Instead, we must rise up and "trust in the shadow of his wings."
It may sound harsh, but God has no pity for unbelief. He grants no other option but faith. Israel missed God's blessing because of their unbelief, which God called evil. Scripture says they could not enter into a life of rest and peace: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:12) .
Beloved, whatever you are going through, even walking through the valley of the shadow of death, God promises to be with you. I urge you: Take a stand in the midst of your trial and trust him. Your unbelief changes nothing — but faith opens the door to deliverance. "Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, which thou has wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!" (Psalm 31:19) .
In the newsletter was a report about brothers and sisters in Christ that would put most of us to shame:
snip
The boy had just endured three days alone in the Burmese jungle. Having survived that, he had to swim for his life across a river to Thailand. It was all to escape the government-hired men who had dragged his mother into a field and murdered her.
Now safe across the river, Poepoe came to the refugee camp his mother had told him about. Yet he was about to face another ordeal. Poepoe was but one child in an ocean of orphans at the camp. All had fled here to escape the brutal regime in power in Myanmar (formerly Burma).
http://www.worldchallenge.org/missions/2011/myanmar
Unbelievable? Not really.
After the weekend, my devotional verses were:
John 16
[33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Psalms 34
[19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psalms 37
[23] The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psalms 46
[1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
I look forward to seeing the Suffering Seven see their solutions.
I praise God that He counted them worthy to suffer in order to bring about God's plan.
Suffering is the norm, not the exception. That is one area that Pentecostals can get tripped up on.
Yes, Jesus heals. But, he raised Lazarus from the dead and Lazarus eventually died and stayed dead.
The Bible clearly supports the fact that this world be one of trouble and stifle.
When we come out of a period of suffering we are stronger and better able to help others who are suffering.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Cor. 12:9
This world is not our home!
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Read and reread (KJB) even if you don't feel like it:
Those who serve God will suffer -
John 16:33
2 Corinthians 12:7
2 Timothy 2:3
2 Timothy 3:12
1 Peter 4:12, 13
The positive side of pain and suffering -
Psalm 119:67, 71
Isaiah 53:3-5
John 9:2, 3
2 Corinthians 12:10
Philippians 1:12-14
Hebrews 5: 8, 9
Hebrews 12:5-7, 10, 11
James 1:2-4
1 Peter 1:6, 7
1 Peter 2:21-24
Proper attitude toward pain and suffering -
Daniel 3:16-18
Matthew 26:39
Romans 12:14
Galatians 6:2
Philippians 1:19-26
Philippians 3:13, 14
Promises of help for God’s people in times of suffering-
Deuteronomy 32:10, 11
Psalms 9:9, 10
Psalms 46:1-3
Psalms 147:3
Isaiah 41:10
Lamentations 3:19-26, 33
John 16:33
Romans 6:5
Romans 8:18
Romans 8:28
1 Corinthians 10:13
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Philippians 4:13
Hebrews 4:15, 16
1 Peter 5:7
LEGACY INDEX
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