Memory Verse: I Corinthians 10:13 -“There have no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Suffering is caused by the power of Satan. It is his will to have discontented people and for them to live as if there is no hope. Sickness, discord in families and in churches, loss of job, loss of home and the denial of the power of salvation are just a few examples of sufferings that one will experience. But for us we believe and know without a doubt, that we have the love of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 6:12)
Satan was cast out of heaven into the earth. He is responsible for the sufferings and present distresses throughout this world. He was not content with the honorable position of living around the throne of God. As a result, he brought suffering to the earth. He has power, but God can allow or overrule the works of Satan, the devil. (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:14-15)
Why does God allow suffering? This a question that many discuss and many reasons are given. To begin we should look at the fall of man and the judgment of God. The woman will bring forth children in sorrow. The man should have sorrow in the ground in which he was to eat. But yet through all of man’s sorrow, God is very merciful. God permits Satan to bring difficult and painful situation because he has clearly given us a choice. He wants us to choose to trust and obey him. Christ was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. He went through, that we may go through. We are victorious in Christ. (Genesis 3:16-17; I Corinthians 15:57)
Suffering is divinely permitted so that we can experience the fullness of grace. Suffering is synonymous with sorrow, trouble, problems, trials, and temptation. It is a difficult situation in which we have no immediate control. During these times, we choose to pray for protection and guidance from the Lord. “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” In other words, the only way that we can overcome our weakness is that we rely on the grace and strength of Christ. Grace is the empowerment of God to do the things that we should do. It is God’s intent that suffering will draw us closer to him. However, for people who do not believe it is accepted as part of life or bad luck. They do not agree that it has any bearings on one’s faith or eternal life. This is why it is so important to study and understand the origination of sin. It is important to understand the love of God and his plan for man. (II Corinthians 12:9)
Abraham did not know where he was going, when he journeyed with his family and all of his possessions (Genesis 12:1-2). Rahab made a life changing decision to follow Israel. Remember, she had heard how God had stretched forth his mighty hand to save Israel (Joshua 3:11-12). David was deeply troubled concerning his sick son. He prayed to God for deliverance (II Samuel 12:16). Jeremiah was cast in a dungeon. His persecutors had hope after his sufferings, his message would have changed (Jeremiah 37:16). The woman who had the issue of blood for twelve years did not lose her faith. She believed if she was to touch the hem of Jesus garment, she would be made whole. The devil tried to take all that she had, but he could not take her faith (Mark 5:25-34).
As we look at these testimonies, we can see that sufferings serve a deeper purpose than the actual sorrow itself. It was through their troubles that God was glorified and grace helped them to endure. Immediately, they turned to him for help. No one wants to go through trials, but we are not alone. Jesus is with us all the time. (II Corinthians 4:17)
Paul gave a wonderful word of encouragement for those who are tempted. He teaches that the temptations which we have are common to all. But God is faithful. He does not promise to take us from the test, but he promises to be with us and to lessen the intensity of the test. (I Corinthians 10:13)
We have two safeguards to help us in our times of troubles. Safeguards are shields that provide protection. One safeguard is prayer. Prayer is our lifeline to heaven. One reason that Jesus remained strong and determined to do the will of his Father is because he took time in prayer. Prayer keeps the connection with the will of our father. The second safeguard is the word of God. It is in the word that we learn that the present world will suffer. The word is given to us that we will not be ignorant of Satan devices. It is in the word that we learn about the birth, death, resurrection, accession and the second advent of Christ. Jesus used the word to rebuke devil. The word is powerful. (Luke 18:1;Hebrews 4:12)
We must continue to find comfort and peace in the promises of God. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” (Jeremiah 29:10-11)
Pastor Tylvia E. Koromah The Path of Righteousness Church in Christ
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