Suffering: December 17, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 17, 2012.

SUFFERING

DEFINITION:

Feeling pain or hardship; experiencing loss; undergoing something painful or unpleasant whether physical or emotional.

SCRIPTURE:

For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Philippians 1:29.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms. James 5:13.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We receive emails from across our world, as well as from here in America, telling us about the suffering that people are facing today. Many are suffering because they are Christians and they are standing firm in their faith. God is honoring these dear people and we pray for them daily.

We receive reports of churches being bombed, pastors being martyred, families being tortured, all because of their stand for their Lord.

We also hear from families who are suffering for their faith in God right here in America. They are being ridiculed at their workplace because of their faith. Some even are losing jobs because they live by Godly standards and will not compromise their Christian values in order to keep their job.

Children are being mocked and made fun of for their faith at their schools. It is heart breaking that a child going to a school has to suffer because he or she has biblical standards to live by and is told they cannot share their faith. Praying and reading the Bible is forbidden today in primary schools. Teaching in our colleges and universities is anti-God.

There is much suffering around our world and the scripture has much to say to help us understand and to cope with suffering.

The author of the book of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 2:10 that, “For it was fitting for Him (God), for whom are all things and by whom all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain (Jesus) of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Jesus was mocked, spit upon, beaten and killed (Mark 10:34). Jesus suffered so that we can have eternal life. He suffered for us by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus, in His suffering, set an example for us to live by when we are faced with suffering for Him while we are on this earth preparing to spend an eternity with Him.

What we suffer does not compare with the suffering Jesus went through for us. Jesus can comfort us in our suffering because He experienced all the same suffering we have. Jesus comforts us by giving us strength, encouragement and hope to endure.

Having to suffer is not easy. The author of Hebrews understands this. He is writing to believers whom he knew had endured suffering and would most likely have to continue to endure suffering for their faith. He encourages these believers in Hebrews 10:32 to persevere by telling them to think about how their faith had enabled them to endure in times of suffering in the past.  The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:32 to those that had suffered for Jesus: “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated (accepted Jesus as Savior), you endured a great struggle with sufferings.” For centuries some have faced a great struggle as they suffered for the cause of Christ and Christians will continue to suffer until Christ returns. We must persevere for the cause of Christ in spite of suffering.

In the verse from Philippians we have printed above under SCRIPTURE, Paul reminds us that as believers in Christ we will share in Christ’s sufferings. James tells us how we should respond when we are suffering --- we are to pray. When we pray, God will give us the strength to get through each and every trial and He will comfort and encourage our hearts. No matter what our suffering there is joy in the Lord that brings cheer to our lives. James also tells us that when we are cheerful, when we are suffering or not, we are to sing praises to God.

In every situation that we face today, God wants us to be cheerful and sing unto Him. He will give us the strength to get through what we are facing. He cares for you, He loves you and He will be with you in your times of suffering.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.

Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.

PRAYER:

It is my prayer today that You would lead me through any suffering I may face because of my faith in You. Also give me a new burden and a tender heart to pray for those who are suffering for Your sake. Put a song of praise in my heart for all that You have done for me.