Finding Hope Amidst Pain: Understanding God's Goodness
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored one of the most profound and complex questions that can be asked in relation to the Christian faith: If God is both good and powerful, why is there so much pain and suffering in the world? This question is not only academic but deeply personal, as many of us have experienced or are currently experiencing seasons of pain and suffering.
We began by acknowledging that the presence of pain and suffering in the world is undeniable. We see it in global crises like war, famine, and natural disasters, and we feel it in our personal lives through various trials and tribulations. For those who are in the midst of suffering, the question of God's presence in their pain is particularly pressing.
To address this question, we considered three potential answers. The first is the possibility that there is no God, which would mean that life is accidental and devoid of meaning, purpose, or morality. However, I find it difficult to accept that everything in the universe, including the complexity of life on Earth, could exist without a Creator.
The second answer we explored is the idea that God exists but is not good, perhaps even delighting in the suffering of His creation or being indifferent to it. This view of God contradicts the nature of God as revealed in Scripture and in the person of Jesus Christ.
The third answer, which I believe to be true, is that God is both good and powerful, but He has given us free will. This free will is essential for a world worth creating, but it also allows for the possibility of sin, which brings pain and suffering. God could not create a world with free will without the potential for suffering.
We delved into the biblical narrative, starting from the creation account in Genesis, where God created a world that was "very good." However, the introduction of sin by humanity brought pain and suffering into the world. This was not a punishment from God but the natural consequence of our choices.
Despite the reality of suffering, we are reminded that Jesus has overcome the world, and His victory over sin and death is not just theoretical but actual. The promise of Revelation is that God will one day restore all things, wiping away every tear and ending death, mourning, crying, and pain.
In the meantime, we live in a world that includes both pain and God's good gifts. We have the presence of God with us, His word, prayer, communion, baptism, and the gift of worship. Worship, especially in times of pain, can be a powerful tool to remind us of God's sovereignty and goodness.
Now, let us consider the key takeaways from today's message:
- The existence of pain and suffering in the world is a reality that challenges us to consider the nature of God and our understanding of His creation. We must grapple with the tension between God's goodness, His omnipotence, and the presence of evil. This tension invites us to deeper faith and trust in God's ultimate plan for restoration and redemption.
- Free will is a gift from God that comes with great responsibility and consequence. The ability to choose is what makes love genuine and relationships meaningful. However, it also opens the door to sin and its resulting pain. Our choices matter, and they ripple through our lives and the lives of others, for better or for worse.
- The incarnation of Jesus Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's empathy towards human suffering. In Jesus, God entered into our pain, experienced our struggles, and provided a path to redemption. This profound act of love assures us that God is intimately acquainted with our suffering and is actively working to redeem it.
- Worship in the midst of suffering is not a denial of our pain but an affirmation of God's presence and power in our lives. When we choose to worship, even when our hearts are heavy, we declare that God is greater than our circumstances. This act of faith can transform our perspective and bring comfort to our souls.
- The promise of eternal life with God offers us hope that transcends our current suffering. The worst thing that will ever happen to us, which is death, will not be the last thing. In Christ, we have the assurance of resurrection and a future where pain and suffering are no more. This hope empowers us to live with courage and purpose, even in the face of life's darkest moments.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:31 - "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day."
2. Romans 8:21 - "That the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God."
3. Revelation 21:4 - "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 1:31, how did God initially view His creation? What does this imply about the original state of the world?
2. In Romans 8:21, what is creation waiting for, and what does this tell us about the current state of the world?
3. Revelation 21:4 speaks of a future promise. What are the specific things that will no longer exist in this future?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon mentioned that free will is essential for a world worth creating, but it also allows for the possibility of sin and suffering. How does this concept help us understand the presence of pain in the world? ([27:28])
2. The pastor discussed the idea that understanding where our pain comes from does not make it go away. Why is this distinction important for someone currently experiencing suffering? ([44:49])
3. How does the promise of Revelation 21:4 provide hope for believers who are currently facing pain and suffering? What does this future vision mean for our present lives?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced significant pain or suffering. How did your understanding of God's presence in your life impact your experience? ([46:48])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of worship, especially in times of pain. How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine, even when you are struggling? ([54:47])
3. Free will comes with great responsibility and consequences. Can you identify a recent decision you made that had a significant impact on your life or the lives of others? How did it align with God's will? ([27:28])
4. The pastor mentioned that Jesus has overcome the world and that this victory is not just theoretical but actual. How does this truth influence your perspective on current challenges you are facing? ([48:30])
5. The promise of eternal life with God offers hope that transcends our current suffering. How can this hope empower you to live with courage and purpose in your daily life? ([53:25])
6. Think about a specific area in your life where you feel overwhelmed by pain or suffering. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's presence and promises during these times? ([46:48])
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of community and leaning on each other during tough times. How can you be a source of support for someone in your small group or community who is currently experiencing pain or suffering? ([54:03])
Devotional
Day 1: Grappling with God's Nature and Suffering
In a world rife with pain and suffering, it's natural to question the nature of God. The existence of suffering challenges believers to reconcile the concept of a good and omnipotent God with the presence of evil. This struggle is not meant to weaken faith but to invite a deeper trust in God's ultimate plan for restoration and redemption. It's a call to look beyond the immediate and trust in the divine narrative that promises a future where all wrongs are made right.
The Bible does not shy away from the reality of suffering, nor does it present a God who is distant from human pain. Instead, it offers a God who is deeply involved in the human experience, working through history to bring about His purposes, even when those purposes are not immediately clear to us.
Lamentations 3:31-33: "For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men."
Reflection:
How does recognizing God's ultimate plan for restoration influence your response to personal or observed suffering? [07:40]
Day 2: The Weight of Free Will
Free will is a divine gift that carries significant responsibility and consequence. It is the foundation of genuine love and meaningful relationships. Yet, it also opens the door to sin, which introduces pain and suffering into the world. Our choices have far-reaching effects, impacting not only our lives but also those around us. This understanding calls for a thoughtful consideration of the decisions we make and their potential to cause ripples of consequence.
The narrative of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation underscores the importance of human choice and its impact. It is through the exercise of free will that humanity finds its greatest expression of love and its most tragic experiences of pain.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20: "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days."
Reflection:
In what ways can you exercise your free will today to choose actions that align with God's desire for love and life? [07:40]
Day 3: God's Empathy Through Incarnation
The incarnation of Jesus Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's empathy and solidarity with human suffering. In Jesus, God entered into our world, experienced our struggles, and provided a path to redemption. This profound act of love assures us that God is not indifferent to our pain but is intimately acquainted with it and actively working to redeem it. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus offer a model for how to navigate suffering with hope and purpose.
As believers, we are invited to find comfort in the knowledge that God understands our suffering from the inside out. This empathy is not abstract but was lived out in the person of Jesus, who wept, suffered, and ultimately triumphed over death.
Hebrews 4:15-16: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection:
How can the reality of Jesus' empathy toward human suffering change the way you approach your own struggles and those of others? [07:40]
Day 4: Worship as an Affirmation in Suffering
Worship in the midst of suffering is a powerful declaration of faith. It is not a denial of pain but an affirmation of God's presence and power in our lives. Choosing to worship, especially when burdened by sorrow, is an act of defiance against despair, proclaiming that God is greater than our circumstances. This act of faith can transform our perspective, bringing comfort and a sense of God's sovereignty.
Worship becomes a conduit for experiencing God's presence, reminding us of His goodness and faithfulness even in the darkest times. It is in these moments of worship that we often find the strength to endure and the grace to continue trusting in God's plan.
Psalm 42:5: "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation."
Reflection:
Can you identify a situation in your life where worship could transform your perspective on suffering? How might you incorporate worship into your response to this situation? [07:40]
Day 5: Hope Beyond Current Suffering
The promise of eternal life with God offers a hope that transcends our current suffering. The worst thing we will ever face, death, will not be the last thing. In Christ, we have the assurance of resurrection and a future devoid of pain and suffering. This hope empowers us to live with courage and purpose, even in the face of life's darkest moments. It is a hope that does not disappoint because it is anchored in the reality of Jesus' victory over sin and death.
As believers, we are called to hold onto this hope and allow it to shape the way we live our lives. It is a hope that should inspire us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Peter 1:6-7: "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection:
What is one way you can live out the hope of eternal life today, in the midst of any challenges you are facing? [07:40]
Quotes
1) "God could not create a world in which there was no possibility of suffering and where people have free will. God could not do that. God could not create a world without the possibility of pain and yet where people do have free will when God created the heavens and the Earth he had to choose to do one or the other because those two things are mutually exclusive." [27:28]
2) "God wasn't interested in creating a world filled with robots who are imprisoned to do only what he demanded that they do. God wasn't interested in that and you and I would not be interested in that either. You and I would not be interested in living in that world because it is our ability to choose, it is our freedom to make decisions today that makes life worth living." [28:51]
3) "The pain and suffering that came with sin was not punishment; it was simply the natural consequences of the choices that those people made. Sin always carries with it pain and suffering. We might not see it right away and we might not recognize it right away, but every single time sin is released, there is pain and suffering for us and others." [31:44]
4) "I think God must be watching from above going, 'This is not how I designed it to be; this is not how I wanted your life to go; this is not what I intended your experience to be.' And scripture tells us that even more than our heart breaks over the pain and suffering in the world, God's heart breaks even more deeply over the pain and suffering." [42:36]
5) "The answer to the question 'where is God in our pain' is he is with us. He's with us every moment of every day, in seasons of joy and happiness, and in seasons of pain and suffering. God Is With Us in every Mountaintop season and in every Valley season. God Is With Us in every Victory and in every defeat, in every smile and in every tear." [47:39]
6) "God promises that one day he will wipe every tear from your eye and that there will be no more pain and no more suffering and no more death. Even though you and I will face death in this lifetime, God promises that just like Jesus, so will you and I rise back to life. Think about this: the worst thing that will ever happen to you will not be the last thing that ever happens to you." [52:38]
7) "In the meantime, yes, we live in a world that will throw so much pain and suffering at us that we will feel like in some Seasons it's too much, but at the same time, we have God himself with us, and he has overcome the world. And we have each other to lean on and to help through those seasons, and God has given us gifts and tools like his word and prayer and communion." [54:03]
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