We live in a world of griefs and graves. even believers suffer tragedy.
If God loves all people, should we expect 24/7 protection?
We offer some answers, but not all the answers. God is with us even in our darkest hour. Moses approached the thick darkness, where God was. (Exodus 20:21). Click here for the notes and here for the video message.
pain in the bible
If Christians were the only ones who could escape pain and tragedy the whole world would quickly convert to Christianity for all the wrong reasons. Today’s absurd prosperity preaching is offensive because the Bible is full of tragedy and pain, from Genesis 3 to the end of Revelation.
Revelation 21:4 says God will wipe away all tears from the eyes of the redeemed. Don’t miss it. All the redeemed will have tears.
Before pain can touch us, it must pass through the screen of God’s presence. If it passes, it's meant for our ultimate good. Really? Satan said to God: “You’ve set a hedge around Job! I can’t get to him!” (Job 1:10). God’s response was something like this: “Well, you can do this and that to Job, but no further.” Did you catch that? No pain can touch a believer without God's permission.
A pearl develops when the oyster produces healing balm surrounding a piece of intruding grit. The book of Revelation describes gates of pearl in God’s eternal city. Why pearl? Because those who enter have experienced intruding grit on earth.
A group of professional fishermen couldn’t understand how a competitor could deliver really fresh fish to shore. They tried keeping live fish in tanks, but the fish still arrived limp and flavorless. Their cunning competitor simply added a venomous catfish in the tank to keep the fish in state of agitation, never resting. The fish never lost their strength or sweetness.
It’s hard to accept, but toil and trouble help us more than unbroken periods of prosperity. Without trial our characters quickly deteriorate. Most lotto winners end up in tears.
C.S Lewis said “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our sorrows, and shouts to us in our pain”.
Pain shatters our fantasy that life is stable, that we're capable, that we're strong, that we know everything. Pain exposes our fragility, the shortness of life, the nearness of death. Pain helps us to wait on God, to hope only in Him, not in the doctor, or social media connections.
prosperity gospel
We can’t treat God like an ATM . Yes, God’s people will be blessed, but not the ATM way. This way: “Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake” (Matthew 5: 10). The Sermon on The Mount doesn’t say that the blessed are those who've been made wealthy because of faith. Don’t be fooled by America’s prosperity gospel noise which makes no one wealthy except the preacher.
WHO’S IN CHARGE?
We survive personal tragedy by accepting that God is sovereign over small details. Large doors swing on small hinges. Life’s large events are controlled by small events. Without a nail a shoe was lost, without a shoe a horse was lost, without a horse a battle was lost. All things are God’s servants (Psalm 119:91) even the small. Even the night belongs to God (Psalm 74:16).
If we follow Christ each day, then it logically follows that whatever happens to us is allowed by God for a purpose, the details of which aren't immediately obvious. Corrie ten Boom said “Everything that happens to the believer is to prepare the person for a future that only God can see”. If we could see as God sees we would choose as God chooses.
AT THE CROSS
Jesus was positioned between heaven and earth to show that He was rejected by both, but His outstretched arms say He continues to love us all.
The mob shouted "He saved others; he can't save himself”. How right they were. If He had saved Himself, He couldn't have saved anyone.
The only complaint Jesus made about physical pain on the cross was ‘I thirst’. Let's remember that the next time we stub our toe, or bump our funny bone. The only person who experienced all of the world’s pain in one session was Jesus. The rest of us only experience our own pain.
Refugees can draw comfort that Jesus as a child was also a refugee. The poor can draw comfort that Jesus also came from a poor home. Jesus the suffering Servant turned Black Friday into Good Friday so there would be a resurrection Sunday. Where there’s no cross, there can be no resurrection.
The Bible never offers a crown without a cross first. The path of the crown is by way of the cross. If we accept that principle, it’ll be like wings. In lifting the cross, it lifts us; then we can lift others in trial and trouble.
Unique Christian character emerges from great trials, transforming pain into a blessing, and making us a blessing to others. Suffering isn’t an ugly growth on our life, but fertilizer for others. Stars shine brightest when nights are darkest.
Verses when you’re suffering
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor. (Job 11:16-19)
I sought the Lord and He answered me. He delivered me from all my fears. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. (Psalm 34: 4, 19)
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22).
God sets the lonely in families; He leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. (Psalm 68:6)
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. (Psalm 71:20)
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. (Psalm 112:4)
The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. (Psalm 145:14)