09/20/2021
We serve and love God and Jesus Christ, but something bad still happens to us. We find that for all our faith and good works, trouble still besets us. I hear people ask an age old question in moments such as this; they ask “How could a good and loving God let this happen?” or, “If Jesus loves me then why does He allow me, or my loved ones, to suffer like this?” These questions are nothing new, and they come in response to Satan’s prodding as he challenges us with these same questions. Martha asked herself the same things when her brother Lazarus died, and even confronted Jesus by saying…
“Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.””
John 11:32 ESV
Before we judge Martha, and the others, we need to be still, and think about the times when we have thought these same things, or were asked them by others, and had no response for them. When children are massacred, marriages fail, and our loved ones get sick and die; don’t we hear ourselves asking why, or accusing God of not caring enough? In these times Satan whispers his deceitful challenge and accusation against Jesus into our ears. Don’t those around begin to plant the seeds of doubt in us be saying…
“ “But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?””
John 11:37 ESV
When our emotions are strained to their utmost, and our hearts are breaking, these questions arise. Like all of us, I have heard these selfsame whispers in the back of my mind, and I have been tempted to question my faith, but Jesus gives us a reason for such occurrences in our lives…
“Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?””
John 11:40 ESV
And He teaches us responses we can use to combat the dark one, and the unbelievers with. Listen to the words that Jesus spoke to Peter when He was challenged by him…
“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
Matthew 16:23 KJV
The hardships and times of suffering in our lives are natural to all men, and meant to occur so that God can show us His glory, and be glorified before all creation. Sometimes we see His glory in a miracle like the one Jesus performed when Lazarus was raised from the dead, but often it is much more subtle when it involves our salvation and the strengthening of our embattled faith.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
When loved ones are taken home to be with our Heavenly Father, Satan comes after us, and tempts us by trying to convince us that our mourning and heartbreak are signs that God doesn’t care. In this way he tries to turn the amazing gift of love that God has given us against us as he engages in spiritual warfare with our souls, and in an effort to destroy our faith. You see… you would not hurt so terribly if at first you hadn’t loved. Likewise, your faith could not be challenged if the Lord had not previously called you to it.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
So in the midst of our struggles we should realize that these are not temptations brought upon us by God, but are Satan’s attempt to distract us from the love of God for us, and the hope we have in His promises. The crux of the matter is not our suffering, but the love we first felt that Satan uses in an attempt to bring us to our knees… and the relief we find in the prayers we pray, God’s mercy, and our faith that in the truth that God works good in moments such as this.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for life in all of its amazing goodness, and challenges. Thank you for having given us your love, and all the other gifts that are characteristic of you. Help us Lord to see your love above all else when life confronts us with losses, and the other painful challenges that break our hearts. Help us to see you in the storms, and give us the strength and courage to say “Get thee behind me!” To Satan and his minions. Hear us as we call out to you from within our suffering… “Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves and comforts us!” Give us your peace and reassurance when Satan tries to convince us that you are not with us. Praised be your name for taking every natural trouble that life brings us, and working it to your glory, and for our good. Wash us in the blood of your Son Jesus Christ to remove sin from us, and lift us in our faith as we trust in the eternal life His resurrection promises us. On the day of our judgement find us worthy. Lord, and see only the image of Jesus in us. Welcome us to your table for all eternity, and let your glory shine over us forevermore. Glory be to you our God, our Father, and Abba who Mae love abides in us.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
Romans 8:28-30 ESV
Rich Forbes