suffering | Daily Encouragement

“’Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'” (John 9:3, NIV)

As difficult as it may be to face the fact that God allows his creatures to suffer hardship and pain; it would be infinitely more difficult if it were true that God was indifferent to human hardship and pain.

We may not always know the reason why we or others must suffer; and today’s scripture cautions us against drawing conclusions about the reasons behind suffering. However, we may be confident in knowing that God both cares and is engaged.

The disciple of Jesus has the added benefit of knowing that “all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Do not be discouraged when you encounter hardship or pain — whether in your life of in the life of others. Remain faithful in all that God has given you to do, and you will experience both grace and peace. – Luther

Special note: If you are interested in reading another, expanded, treatment of this topic; I am happy to send to you the manuscript of the sermon I delivered yesterday in the Historic Main Post Chapel on Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. It was titled: “Suffering for Good.” If interested, please request through the comment box with your e-mail address; or/and send an e-mail to me at luther_alexander@yahoo.com with “Suffering Sermon” in the subject line. Thank you! – L

Tagged pain, sermon offer, suffering, the book of John

December 26

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Uncategorized Aside

“So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’” (Matthew 2:14-15a, NASB)

Egypt.

Time and again in the Bible, Egypt becomes the place of exile and pain. Joseph (of many-colored coat fame; please see Genesis 37 for details) found himself in Egypt after being sold by his brothers. The Children of Israel were delivered from slavery in Egypt in what is known as the Exodus. And now, the Christ child is taken to Egypt by His parents to escape Herod’s slaughter of children.

Exile may have its purposes but it, nevertheless, also had its own proximate difficulties: Loneliness, unfamiliarity, suffering.

Have you ever been exiled to your own “Egypt”? Are you there today?

If you are, be resolute in the knowledge that God is in “Egypt” with you; that God will never forsake you; and that God will, in the fullness of time, deliver you. – Luther