- I am not an expert in this area,
however I also feel that the Bible is not silent on the topic. While research and expertise in this area are not bad things, I do not think God made reassurance of His faithfulness far out of our reach. - The Bible is not silent on suffering:
- Job: An honorable man that God allowed Satan to attack in order to prove that Job was indeed an honorable man.
- Job’s friends and even his wife told him to just curse God and die, but Job refused.
Job actually had the opportunity to ask God “why?” after the suffering had ended. God’s response was essentially “I am too mighty for you to be able to comprehend.” And Job was content with that answer.
- David: The least favorite son of Jesse, who had to run for his life from
king Saul many times, and dealt with all of the drama of being king himself. He wrote many psalms dealing with the emotions of going through trials yet trusting God. - Paul and Silas: after rescuing a woman from demon possession, they were stoned and placed in jail. Instead of crying and wailing, they praised God in prison. Their miraculous rescue that night paired with their praising of God brought many people to Christ.
- Lazarus: Jesus waiting to go to him when he was sick because he knew that God would be glorified more through Lazarus’ death than if Jesus healed him right away. Jesus’ lack of quick response was not due to lack of love, the Bible is clear that Lazarus was very special to Jesus.
- Job: An honorable man that God allowed Satan to attack in order to prove that Job was indeed an honorable man.
- Romans 8:28- And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
- We love the first part of this verse, but often forget about the “according to his purpose.” God has a use for everything that happens to us, even when we don’t understand them. We need to learn to trust that.
- Why should we trust God?
- The answer is in the past: think back and remember that times that God has gotten you through.
- The Red Sea:
- The Israelites dealt with the Red Sea poorly. After seeing all of the miracles that God did to rescue them, they still did not trust Him with this trial.
- Emotions, fear, and fatigue played a big role in their decisions and actions toward God.
- Though we can’t always feel God, He has not abandoned us. Our trials are a sea to walk through, they aren’t permanent.
- God will part the way to get you safely across and also use it to completely destroy that past that was pursuing you.
- Joshua 1:9- This is my command- be strong and couragous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
- How to strengthen Your Faith by Andrew Murray: if the answer to every prayer came immediately, how would we ever become acquainted with the LORD Himself?
- Waiting for God’s answer to our prayers during trials is so hard.
- We need to remember that we serve a God who responds to us.
- Sometimes His response is to rescue us from it, other times to stay with us through it. Psalm 27:14- Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Joshua 1:9- This is my command- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
- Lamentations 3:32-33- Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow!
- Margaret Feinberg said: I cringe when people suggest that becoming a follower of Jesus will provide a sheath from hurt, pain, and loss. After all, Jesus was nailed to a tree, betrayed by a best friend, and stared death in the eyes. Yes, he triumphed, but he never went numb. He felt. He sensed. He ached. He cried out. We will too!
- Isaiah 41:10- So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
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