Finding Purpose and Hope in Suffering

Devotional

Day 1: Suffering is Inevitable but Purposeful

Suffering is an unavoidable aspect of human life, affecting both believers and non-believers. It entered the world through sin, as described in Genesis 3 and Romans 8. Accepting Christ does not exempt us from trials and tribulations. Instead, suffering serves a divine purpose. James 1:2-4 and 1 Peter 1:6 remind us that suffering tests our faith and produces patience, making us complete and lacking nothing. God uses our suffering to accomplish His purposes, even when we cannot see the end from the beginning. This understanding helps us to endure and find meaning in our trials. [09:29]

Isaiah 46:10 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"

Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How can you see God’s hand at work in that situation, even if the outcome is not yet clear?

Day 2: Eternal Perspective on Suffering

Our suffering is temporary, and we must keep an eternal perspective. The afflictions we face now are momentary and are working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 and Romans 8:18 emphasize that our current afflictions are not worth comparing to the eternal glory that awaits us. By focusing on the unseen, eternal realities rather than our immediate hardships, we can navigate through suffering with hope and perseverance. [23:45]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What is one way you can shift your focus from your current struggles to the eternal promises of God today?

Day 3: Identity in Christ

Our true identity is in being children of God, not in our roles or achievements. This identity is unshakeable and provides a firm foundation to stand on when everything else in life is uncertain. Romans 8:15-17 reminds us that we are adopted into God's family, and this identity is unshakeable. Remembering this helps us to navigate through suffering without losing our sense of self. [27:09]

Romans 8:15-17 (ESV): "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

Reflection: How does knowing your identity as a child of God change the way you view your current challenges?

Day 4: Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Faith involves trusting in God's plan even when we cannot see it. This means believing that God will accomplish His purposes in our lives, despite our current suffering. 2 Corinthians 5:7 and Hebrews 10:38 teach us that faith is believing in what we cannot see and trusting in God's plan. Walking by faith helps us to keep our focus on God's promises and not on our immediate circumstances. [32:42]

Hebrews 10:38 (ESV): "But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more fully? How can you take a step of faith in that area today?

Day 5: Comfort in Community and God’s Promises

We are never alone in our suffering. God's comfort is always available, and we are called to share this comfort with others. The Christian community plays a vital role in supporting each other through trials, ensuring that no one feels isolated in their suffering. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 reminds us that God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. [42:04]

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Reflection: Who in your community is currently going through a difficult time? How can you offer them comfort and support today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This morning, we delved into the profound and often challenging topic of suffering in the life of a believer. Suffering is an inevitable part of human existence, affecting both believers and non-believers alike. It is crucial to understand that suffering entered the world through sin, as seen in Genesis 3 and Romans 8. We are not immune to suffering, and it is a mistake to think that accepting Christ exempts us from trials and tribulations. James 1:2-4 and 1 Peter 1:6 remind us that suffering tests our faith and produces patience, making us complete and lacking nothing.

The believer's suffering is not without purpose. God has a plan, even when we cannot see it. Isaiah 46:10 assures us that God's counsel will stand, and He will accomplish all His purposes. The story of Joseph in Genesis 38-50 illustrates how God can use suffering for a greater good, even when it seems incomprehensible at the moment. Similarly, Job's story teaches us that suffering can serve to silence the devil and demonstrate our unwavering faith in God.

Our suffering is temporal, and our perspective must be eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 and Romans 8:18 emphasize that our current afflictions are momentary and not worth comparing to the eternal glory that awaits us. We must keep our focus on things above, not on earthly matters, to navigate through suffering.

Remembering our identity in Christ is crucial. Our worth is not tied to our roles as parents, spouses, or professionals but in being children of God. Romans 8:15-17 reminds us that we are adopted into God's family, and this identity is unshakeable.

Lastly, we must walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 and Hebrews 10:38 teach us that faith is believing in what we cannot see and trusting in God's plan. Even in the midst of suffering, we can find comfort in God's promises and the support of the Christian community. We are never alone, and God's comfort is always available to us.

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Key Takeaways

1. Suffering is Inevitable but Purposeful: Suffering entered the world through sin, and no one is immune to it. However, God uses our suffering to accomplish His purposes, even when we cannot see the end from the beginning. This understanding helps us to endure and find meaning in our trials. [09:29]
2. Eternal Perspective on Suffering: Our suffering is temporary, and we must keep an eternal perspective. The afflictions we face now are momentary and are working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. This perspective helps us to focus on the unseen, eternal realities rather than our immediate hardships. [23:45]
3. Identity in Christ: Our true identity is in being children of God, not in our roles or achievements. This identity is unshakeable and provides a firm foundation to stand on when everything else in life is uncertain. Remembering this helps us to navigate through suffering without losing our sense of self. [27:09]
4. Walking by Faith, Not by Sight: Faith involves trusting in God's plan even when we cannot see it. This means believing that God will accomplish His purposes in our lives, despite our current suffering. Walking by faith helps us to keep our focus on God's promises and not on our immediate circumstances. [32:42]
5. Comfort in Community and God’s Promises: We are never alone in our suffering. God's comfort is always available, and we are called to share this comfort with others. The Christian community plays a vital role in supporting each other through trials, ensuring that no one feels isolated in their suffering. [42:04]
### [42:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:51] - Introduction to Suffering
[08:35] - Universality of Suffering
[09:29] - Suffering and Sin
[11:40] - Expecting Suffering as Believers
[13:49] - Purpose in Suffering
[15:21] - Joseph’s Story
[18:08] - God’s Sovereignty and Providence
[19:29] - The Story of Job
[23:45] - Temporal Suffering, Eternal Perspective
[27:09] - Remembering Our Identity
[32:42] - Walking by Faith
[40:50] - Comfort in God
[45:54] - Don’t Give Away Your Peace
[47:32] - Closing Prayer and Song

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to James 1:2-4, what is the purpose of the trials and suffering that believers face?
In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, how does Paul describe our current afflictions, and what are they compared to?
What does Romans 8:15-17 say about our identity in Christ and how it relates to suffering?

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding that suffering is inevitable but purposeful (James 1:2-4) change a believer's perspective on their trials? [12:08]
What does it mean to have an eternal perspective on suffering as described in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18? How can this perspective help believers endure their current hardships? [23:45]
How does remembering our identity in Christ (Romans 8:15-17) provide comfort and stability during times of suffering? [27:09]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced significant suffering. How did your faith help you endure that period? What did you learn about God's purpose in your suffering? [09:29]
How can you cultivate an eternal perspective in your daily life, especially when facing trials? What practical steps can you take to focus on the unseen, eternal realities rather than immediate hardships? [23:45]
In what ways can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ during challenging times? Are there specific scriptures or practices that help reinforce this identity for you? [27:09]
How can you walk by faith and not by sight in your current circumstances? What does it look like to trust in God's plan even when you cannot see the outcome? [32:42]
Think of someone in your Christian community who is currently suffering. How can you offer them comfort and support, sharing the comfort you have received from God? [42:04]
What are some practical ways you can avoid giving away your peace during times of suffering? How can you hold onto the peace that Jesus gives, even in the midst of trials? [45:54]
How can you ensure that your identity is rooted in being a child of God rather than in your roles or achievements? What changes might you need to make to keep this perspective? [27:09]

Sermon Clips

1. "Suffering is something that everyone will go through at some point in time in their life. It will be believers and unbelievers alike who will experience something in their life. And I think for many of us in America, in western Christianity today, where we have had a prosperous life and a prosperous nation, some may sit here and say, 'But I haven't had suffering.' But I would bet there are people sitting in this room who could not say that." [08:35] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We should expect suffering and trials and difficulties. Go through life thinking that because I've given my life to Christ and he's the Lord of my life makes me suddenly immune like a vaccination to trials and tribulation and persecution and suffering and difficulty would be a mistake." [11:40] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The believer's suffering will accomplish something according to God's purposes. A wise friend of mine sent me a text message yesterday, and he said this: 'God has a plan. You just can't see it yet.' God does have a plan, even when you cannot see it." [14:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Listen to me. God has a purpose, and there is purpose even in your suffering. Though we can't see it, though we can't identify it, though we can't know it on the front end of life." [15:21] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Our suffering is temporal. Our perspective must be eternal. Eternal, not internal. I'm sorry guys, I'm trying to get a coffee. We've talked about this pretty significantly in the Sermon on the Mount. We've talked about what our perspective needs to be in order for us to walk this world out, walk this Christian life out, that we needed to have an eternal perspective." [23:45] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Ultimately, in order to be revealed in us, in order for us to have that kind of perspective, we must keep our focus on things above, not things here. Colossians chapter 3 and verse 2 says, 'Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.' In order for us to be able to walk through suffering, we have to know that God's providence is at work and that even if we can't see it, and even if we don't see it as we walk through suffering, as Job, even if we don't see and understand what it is that we're going through, that there is a testimony, there is an end, there is a glory, there is something that God is working out in the midst of that situation." [25:59] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Remember your identity. I know for me personally, sometimes it's really easy to get into the identity of I'm a husband, I'm a father, even I'm a pastor. And the struggle with that, and maybe you've experienced it, maybe you have in your life, where your identity was in something that you did for work or the successes that you had in the world or those things. Or maybe your identity as a husband, maybe your identity as a father. And what happens in the day whenever there are struggles in your marriage and there is a challenge against your identity as a husband? It collapses underneath you, and you can't stand on that identity." [27:09] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "If you want to make it through suffering, you have got to lean in to the fact that none of the rest of this matters. But what one thing does matter is that I am adopted. I can call out to Abba, Father. He is my father, and I belong to Christ, and I am co-heir with him because of his death, burial, and resurrection, his perfect sinless life that he came and lived so that I could have that adoption. That's what you stand on." [31:30] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Faith is not believing that God can. It's believing that God will. Faith is not believing that God can. That's the easy part. It's easy to separate ourselves from the outcome and say faith is just about believing God has the power to do it. It's the ability to do something. Faith doesn't do anything whenever we just believe that God is big enough to do it. Faith is believing that God will do it. He will accomplish his purposes. He does have a plan for your life, even if you cannot see it in the midst of your suffering. He does have a purpose that is going to be fulfilled. He does." [33:50] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The staying power of our faith is neither demonstrated nor developed until it is tested by suffering. In other words, it's easy when everything is going right to bless God. But when everything is going wrong, that's when faith has to take over. From faith to faith. From one situation we grow. From another situation we grow. From another situation we grow in our faith. And faith is then demonstrated and developed through suffering." [39:16] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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