Post by foxjj on Nov 1, 2021 7:07:50 GMT
Where Is God In Suffering?
No one in this world has a trouble free life. Depending on where one lives in the world determines the amount of strife and suffering one may experience. People living in the west enjoy a more affluent life where there is sufficient food and medical amenities. On the other hand, people in other parts of our world may experience shortages of food to the point of famine, along with very scarce medical amenities, bringing much suffering and death. War and internal violence is the daily experience of many nations.
Because we live in a broken world where sin is evident throughout life, many suffer it’s consequence daily, living a life without hope. In Matthew 24:6-7, Jesus spoke to His followers concerning these ongoing circumstances of life: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”
People may ask where is God in all this suffering? The answer to this relevant question is that He has been there from the beginning, reaching out to humanity as we can ascertain from reading scriptures such as Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Sadly the majority of humanity rejected The Creator and became spiritually lost and on its way into a dark eternity. They turned from the God of the Bible and contrived their own concepts of God, as Isaiah 53:6 states: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way.” The Lord could have washed His hands with the human race, and left each one of us to carry on our way to eternal destruction. However, the good news is He did not. Instead, Our Heavenly Father promised Messiah, a Savior who would: "save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
Jesus The Messiah came into history in order to both show, and make, a way for you and I to attain eternal life. Through the birth of Jesus, The Eternal Light came into our darkness bringing peace and hope into the life of all who believe. Because Jesus was born of a virgin, He is the only one born without the sin nature, consequently, He became our Sinless Atonement when He went to the cross, thereby becoming our Redeemer. When referring to Jesus, John the Baptist proclaimed: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”(John 1:29) Redemption from sin brings peace into one’s life knowing that forgiveness has changed our standing with God.
Experiencing God’s forgiveness gives one the confidence to know that no matter what our life experience may be, Our Heavenly Father is always there helping us with grace as Paul explained: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14)
Becoming a recipient of God’s Grace we can pray Psalm 23:1-4 (NKJV) with thanksgiving: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, 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.” Amen.
Today, let us give praise to our God who is there in our suffering.
John Joseph Fox.
No one in this world has a trouble free life. Depending on where one lives in the world determines the amount of strife and suffering one may experience. People living in the west enjoy a more affluent life where there is sufficient food and medical amenities. On the other hand, people in other parts of our world may experience shortages of food to the point of famine, along with very scarce medical amenities, bringing much suffering and death. War and internal violence is the daily experience of many nations.
Because we live in a broken world where sin is evident throughout life, many suffer it’s consequence daily, living a life without hope. In Matthew 24:6-7, Jesus spoke to His followers concerning these ongoing circumstances of life: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”
People may ask where is God in all this suffering? The answer to this relevant question is that He has been there from the beginning, reaching out to humanity as we can ascertain from reading scriptures such as Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Sadly the majority of humanity rejected The Creator and became spiritually lost and on its way into a dark eternity. They turned from the God of the Bible and contrived their own concepts of God, as Isaiah 53:6 states: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way.” The Lord could have washed His hands with the human race, and left each one of us to carry on our way to eternal destruction. However, the good news is He did not. Instead, Our Heavenly Father promised Messiah, a Savior who would: "save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
Jesus The Messiah came into history in order to both show, and make, a way for you and I to attain eternal life. Through the birth of Jesus, The Eternal Light came into our darkness bringing peace and hope into the life of all who believe. Because Jesus was born of a virgin, He is the only one born without the sin nature, consequently, He became our Sinless Atonement when He went to the cross, thereby becoming our Redeemer. When referring to Jesus, John the Baptist proclaimed: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”(John 1:29) Redemption from sin brings peace into one’s life knowing that forgiveness has changed our standing with God.
Experiencing God’s forgiveness gives one the confidence to know that no matter what our life experience may be, Our Heavenly Father is always there helping us with grace as Paul explained: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14)
Becoming a recipient of God’s Grace we can pray Psalm 23:1-4 (NKJV) with thanksgiving: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, 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.” Amen.
Today, let us give praise to our God who is there in our suffering.
John Joseph Fox.