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Biblical Insights into Suffering
Introduction
The name "Joni" may be familiar to you and probably her story, as well, if you listen to her "Joni and Friends" program on Christian radio. But just in case it isn't, you should know Joni became a paraplegic as a result of a diving accident in shallow waters in Cheapeake Bay July of 1967. She had just graduated high school and preparing to enter Western Maryland College.
For the next two years she battled depression and sought several times to find someone to assist her in suicide. Fortunately, no one would and the result is that the world has come to see the power of God overflowing to many who have been encouraged and inspired to seek God in their own struggles and suffering. She is also the author of many books but long before that had become a talented artist, painting her strokes from a brush she held in her mouth. This is what she has learned concerning the value of suffering.
God is a Master Artist. And there are aspects of your life and character—good, quality things—he wants others to notice. So without using blatant tricks or obvious gimmicks, God brings the cool, dark contrast of suffering into your life. That contrast, laid up against the golden character of Christ within you, will draw attention . . . to him. Light against darkness. Beauty against affliction. Joy against sorrow.
A sweet, patient spirit against pain and disappointment—major contrasts that have a way of attracting notice. You are the canvas on which he paints glorious truths, sharing beauty, and inspiring others. So that people might see him.
Joni Eareckson Tada
Our study thus far has considered . . .
I. Man's Misconceptions vs. God's Truth Concerning Suffering
II. The Purposes and Results of Suffering
Now let us see what we can learn together of . . .
III. God's Ministry to Us in Our Suffering
There are at least eight ways the Lord ministers to in our times of suffering.
A. He Constantly Bears Our Burdens with Us.
(Psa 68:19 NIV) Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah
(2 Cor 4:16-17 NIV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. {17} For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
B. He Nurses Our Broken Hearts and Bandages Our Wounds.
(Psa 147:3 NIV) He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
(Isa 61:1 NIV) The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
C. He Comforts Us.
1. By His guidance.
(Psa 23:4 NIV) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
2. By His love.
(Psa 94:18-19 NIV) When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. {19} When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
3. Because God has a purpose for us.
(2 Cor 1:3-4 NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, {4} who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
D. He Protects Us.
1. Faithfully
(Psa 91:4 NIV) He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
(2 Th 3:3 NIV) But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
2. Loyally.
(Psa 91:14-16 NIV) "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. {15} He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. {16} With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
E. He Loves Us and Shows Compassion.
1. Let us praise Him.
(Isa 49:13 NIV) Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
(Psa 103:2-4 NIV) Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- {3} who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, {4} who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.
2. Let us be steadfast.
(Heb 4:14-15 NIV) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. {15} For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.
F. He Helps Us to Cope with Our Grief.
1. By staying close by
(Psa 34:18 NIV) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
(Psa 139:10 NIV) even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
(Isa 41:13 NIV) For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
2. By giving us peace
a. Peace is the product of obedience.
(Psa 85:8 NIV) I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints-- but let them not return to folly.
b. Peace is gift of Christ against trouble and fear
(John 14:27 NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
c. Peace is the result of praying instead of worrying.
(Phil 4:6-7 NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. {7} And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
G. He Gives Us Hope in Our Future
1. Hope sustains us.
(Psa 119:49-50 NIV) Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. {50} My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
(1 Th 1:4-6 NIV) For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, {5} because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. {6} You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
2. Hope encourages us.
(Psa 10:17-18 NIV) You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, {18} defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
G. He Provides Us with Rest When We Need It.
(Mat 11:28-30 NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. {29} Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
(1 Pet 5:10 NIV) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
H. He Will Bring Victory Over Our Suffering
1. God's love for us demands it.
(Rom 8:36-39 NIV) As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." {37} No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. {38} For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, {39} neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. Christ's love for us obtains it.
(John 3:16 NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(1 Cor 15:54-57 NIV) When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." {55} "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" {56} The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
