I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
“Faith in God is not an instant ticket to utopia.” – Pastor Kenneth W. Hagin
In any test, we need to understand where our suffering is coming from and how God wants us to handle it.
Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.
10 So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry
land.Cause: Jonah’s stubborn disobedience
Escape: Prayer, Repentance, and Reconsecration
But not all suffering comes as a result of sin
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
38 But He (Jesus) was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace,[a] be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How
is it that you have no faith?”
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” They were in complete obedience, but suffering still came
Cause: Spiritual demonic forces
Escape: Spiritual authority and the command of faith
10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.”
11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.
18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next
day they lightened the ship.
19 On the third
day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.
20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on
us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
21 But after long abstinence from food, (so they havnt even been eating or drinking at this point) then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.
22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
Cause: The effect of other people’s decisions
Escape: The perseverance and patience of faith
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
3 Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. The beginning is exciting. The end is exciting. It’s the middle that’s hard. Get through the hard part to get to the good part.
11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
What each of these examples have in common is…
No matter what the cause of their suffering was…
No matter what the method of escape was…
As they put their trust in God…
God still brought Jonah to Nineveh.
He still brought the disciples over to the other side.
He still brought Paul to Rome.
And in the end He blessed Job with more than twice of everything he had before… And He’ll bring you through too.
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares
us, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of
our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who
endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
The post Suffering | Pastor Josiah Stewart first appeared on Covenant Life Church.
