Job also had to put up with some so-called good friends who came and tried to set Job right about why he was suffering. Don't you love those kind of friends. Actually, I'm probably guilty of being such a friend. I hope and pray I will never be a friend who pours salt into open wounds. Amen.
Does God like us to suffer? No, and yes. He allows us to go through trials, however, He is there with us in every painful trial, whether it is a light trial, or the deepest possible pain one can experience. He cares for us, and loves us more than we love our own children, or grand-children. So God doesn't relish the idea that we need to feel pain, but He knows it is necessary, and He sovereignty ordains each trial, but He never leaves, nor forsakes us. Just as the Father gave His beloved Son , Jesus, a most awesome painful road to walk, and of course loved Him with a flawless love. Yet, there is a difference in Jesus' trial. The Father forsook His Son. He did this, so that we would not be forsaken. This is love beyond love!
And so, we simply need to trust Him, for He loves us more than we could ever imagine, and He knows all things. Our Savior does all things for our good, and more than that, for His glory, and His Father's glory.
I'm not very good at suffering for the Lord to be honest. I need tons of His grace, and I need to be filled to the brim with His Spirit, in order to go through the simplest of trials. And you know what, God has done this for me over and over. He is way too gracious and kind to such a disobedient son. But He is. And it also seems in each trial I go through I do complain. Hopefully I'm growing less complainant.
Here's a song I was listening to today. And it actually caused me write this post.
I like singing this song, written by Matt Redman. It has good theology within. I'm sure he took it from the Book of Job. I always feel a little weird about singing this portion of the song:
"And blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be Your name"
The reason I feel weird is that the singing is jovial and upbeat, and yet Job is feeling the heaviest pain he has ever felt. Shouldn't the melody fit the lyrics here? I don't know, just seems like it could be more subtle, or something.
But, nonetheless, I still do appreciate the song, and I appreciate Matt Redman, who is gifted in his song writing. May the Lord continue to bless him, and give him many more edifying psalms and spiritual songs for the Body of Christ. Amen.
5 comments:
You scared me there, with all the talk of nakedness, Bro. Okay, we're good now.
On a serious note, that song is one that I find useful for worship. I mean, I find it easy to sing those words as a prayer.
Thanks for your coming by Craver. Sing as a prayer is a good thought.
Have a great Lord's Day.
Good post bro!
Hey Triston! Good to hear from you brother.
I hope all is well. I'm guessing all is going good since I read your newsletter.
I know you must miss Mary. And she misses you all.
I am praying for you all brother. Not that my pryers are anything much.
Your prayers mean a great deal. Sorry I'm so late in responding. After not checking for a response for awhile, I forgot which post I'd commented on.
We're doing good bro. God has actually used us to plant a church here. We don't plan to be here from now on or anything (we're going back to Nepal), but we have actually planted a church among the Nepali refugees. My prayer is that God would raise up a Nepali man to pastor them. I'm doing it for now, and it is exciting work, but our hearts are still in Nepal. But God has definitely given us this work to do among the refugees for the time being.
Post a Comment