BLESSED FOR SUFFERING IN THE LORD
The Biblical Word of God says, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer” (2 Timothy 3:12). It also says, no suffering or discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful, but later it produces righteousness and peace for those who have trained by it (Hebrews 12:11). And if we suffer, we shall also reign with the Lord (2 Timothy 2:12). To strengthen our faith in suffering in God, the Bible gives us examples of suffering that resulted in great blessings.
BIBLE EXAMPLES OF SUFFERING
JOB. The book of Job in the Bible tells us that Job suffered on earth before Jesus Christ, who himself suffered for the salvation of the world. But Job said, “I know that my redeem lives and shall stand in the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:29).
The Lord God said Job was a man who feared God and shunned evil, and there was no one on earth like him. Satan said to the Lord, does Job fear for nothing? You placed a hedge around him and blessed him and his household. The Lord replied to Satan: “everything Job has is in you hands, but you must lay a hand on the man himself.” Satan destroyed Job’s wealth and possessions, killed his children. Still Job reverenced God. Job said, the Lord gave and he has taken away-Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Then Satan told God if he was allowed to afflict Job’s body he would surely curse God. God said he is in your hands, but you must spare his life. Satan “infested Job with terrible boils from the soles of his to the crown of his head.”
Seeing that Job’s afflictions made him useless and burdensome, his wife turn asked him to curse God and die. He stayed true to God. Three of Job’s friends mistakenly accused him of suffering because of his having sinned.
(The Bible tells us suffering is sometimes attributable to sin. And if this is the case one ought to suffer patiently. (1 Peter 2:20). Moreover, one should confess their faults to one another, and pray for one another, that they may be healed (James 5:16). Most importantly thy should confess their sins to God (1 John 1:9). But in Job’s case his friends wrongly accused him of sin. (Later, Job forgave them; as God says we should forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32)).
Having dealt with so many afflictions, Job was in such anguish that he cursed the day he was born. But he did not curse God. However, Job questioned God. When God responded, Job kept quiet.
Job decided: “All of my appointed days I will wait on the Lord until my change comes” (Job 14:14). “I know that my redeemer lives and shall stand in the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:25).
The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part (Job 42:12).
JESUS. Jesus Christ left his throne in heaven with God the Father, and came into the world to suffer and die for the sins of the world (Philippians 2:6-8; John 3:16). “Even though Jesus was the Son of God, he learned from the things he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). He endured the cross He endured the in obedience to the Father; for his love for us; and for the glory that the Father set before him. (Hebrews 12:2).
- Jesus was despised and rejected by the people he created and came to save (Isaiah 53:3; John 1:11.
- He was hated without a cause (John 15:25).
- He came to his own whom he had cared for, and they did not receive him (John 1:11).
- He was betrayed, forsaken and denied by his own disciples (Matthews 26.)
- He was repeatedly mocked and beaten (Luke 22:63-65; Matthew 27 :27-31; Mark 15:29-30).
- Although no fault was found in Jesus, he was shamefully crucified (John 19:6; 16-18).
- Even though he was sinless he suffered the hellish agony of slowly dying on the cross, and being forsaken by his Father for our sins (Matthew 27:45-50).
“Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
PAUL. Jesus chose Paul to be an apostle, and to be an example of suffering for those who believed in the Lord (Acts 9:16). Paul said, “I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal life” (2 Timothy 2:10).
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 Paul compares himself with some others who claimed to ne apostles of the Lord. Paul humbly lists some of the things that the Lord helped him to endure
23 Are they servants of Christ?…I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
Despite all of the above suffering, Paul was imprisoned and chained to a guard. Nevertheless, he used his time in prison to write letters of guidance and encouragement to the churches of the Lord.
The apostle said, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).
OTHER BIBLE GUIDANCE ON OUR SUFFERING IN GOD
God, decides how each of us as his followers should suffer in him, and become more like Christ.
- God plans to conform us to the likeness of his Son Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
- We can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
- God will put no more on you than you are able bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 38-39).
- Ask God to help you be content in whatever situation he has allowed you be in (Philippians 4:11)
- God works all things together for good for those who love the lord, in conforming us to the likeness of his Son (Romans 8:28-29).
The Bible informs us that the sufferings of this world are not worthy to be compared to the glory which will be revealed in us when Jesus Christ appears in his glory (Romans 8;18-21).
Pic-Crucifixion 5/Job suffers/Paul imprisoned
