Why do the righteous suffer? I do not raise this question merely to satisfy curiosity. This question is not raised by any irreverent lack of contentment with Divine providence. And certainly it is not raised to answer the foolish objections and mockings of unbelievers, But I know that this is a question which often troubles the children of God. This question caused both David and Jeremiah, two of God's most eminent servants, great concern. I know that some of you who are God's people are, at this very time, going through some great sorrow. Some of you suffer the terrible pain of loneliness. Some of you have husbands or wives who daily cause you to weep. Some of you have sons and daughters that continually crush your hearts. Some of you are suffering the pains of sickness and disease. You are men and women of faith. You trust Christ, love Christ, and endeavor to serve Christ. And you ask yourself this question - Why do I suffer these things? Let me try to answer that question for you. Be sure that you understand this - GOD IS NOT PUNISHING YOU FOR SOMETHING. If you are God's child, he punished all of your sin in his Son. He fully satisfied his anger, wrath, and justice against your sin in Christ. The Lord chastens and corrects his children; but he never punishes them. ANYTIME THE LORD SENDS ANY TRIAL TO ANY OF HIS CHILDREN, IT IS SENT FROM HIM IN LOVE AND DESIGNED BY HIM FOR OUR GOOD. Our Father never causes his children to weep needelssly. David said, "it is good for me that I have been afflicted." There is a reason for your trial,
1. OUR TRIALS ARE DESIGNED BY GOD TO PROVE THE REALITY AND THE SINCERITY OF OUR FAITH IN CHRIST.
Faith must be tried, tested, and proved. Do we really trust God? Do we really believe him? Trials will tell us. Those who bear their trials patiently, give evidence that their faith is genuine. Those who cannot patiently endure the trial have reason to question the soundness of their faith.
2. OUR TRIALS TEACH US THE VANITY OF ALL THINGS IN THIS WORLD.
God uses sorrow adversity to wean his children from this world. Trials have a tendency to make us think soberly and see things in their true light. All that is in this world is temporary. And all that is temporary is vanity. Trials have a way of turning our attention and care away from that which is temporal to that which is eternal.
3. OUR TRIALS TEACH US PATIENCE AND SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD.
"Tribulation worketh patience." Little by little, the Lord teaches his children patience. He teaches us to submit to his will in contentment and peace.
4. OUR TRIALS MAKE CHRIST MORE AND MORE PRECIOUS TO OUR SOULS.
"Unto you therefore which believe, he is precious." And the more your faith is tried, the more precious he becomes. The longer you walk with Christ, the more you know of his faithfulness, his strength, and his grace, the more precious he becomes. Like a husband and wife, whose hearts are welded together by the rough times they have been through together, the believer's heart and the Savior's heart are welded together by those trials which he sees us through.
5. OUR TRIALS ENABLE US TO BE MORE CARING, THOUGHTFUL, AND HELPFUL TO ONE ANOTHER.
Only those who have suffered bereavement can comfort the bereaved. Only those who have felt sorrow can comfort the sorrowful. Only those who have felt the pinch of adversity can comfort the poor.
I trust that God the Holy Spirit will graciously apply these thoughts to your heart, and enable you to bear your trial with patiences for the glory of Christ.
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