Christian Living

Finding Joy in Suffering

by Thomas Kirkpatrick
03/20/19
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"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7)

The words suffering and joy are seemingly at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. I must admit, for me, suffering is a hard thing to find joy in. It is that way for me because like so many I find myself caught up in the moment of my suffering and fail to see that it is but for a little while and soon all will return to a normal posture. That may be hard to see in the moment of suffering but it is a truth in the whole of time. I have known people that have been suffering one trial or another for many years and they are very bitter. Then there are those how have found themselves in the same circumstance and have a joyful attitude all the while. Like everything that we endure in this world it is not a question of what we are suffering but of our perspective of that suffering.

There will be suffering in each life as they pass through this world. It is not a question of the fortunate or the unfortunate, the healthy or the unhealthy, and not the righteous or the unrighteous, all will suffer. At creation there was no cause for suffering, it was not meant to be, the world was created in perfect harmony with God the Creator.

That fallen angel Lucifer who because of his disobedience to God’s Word was cast down from the Kingdom of God to earth and has since traveled to and fro disrupting everything Godly. Was this a mistake on God’s part? No! Love and faith have to be tested in order to prove their worthiness. Jesus taught His disciples this truth. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." (John 14:15) Man, as weak as we are, fell to the temptation of Lucifer and as a result creation was cursed because of man’s disobedience, sin. God’s creation was fractured by sin, Lucifer, man, and the earth. (Genesis 3:14-19) Even creation itself longs for the day when unrighteousness no longer inhibits God's perfect plan, and man is fully redeemed. "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God." (Romans 8:19)

Until that day beyond the Day of the Lord, there will be trials and tribulations for all of mankind here in this world, the righteous and the unrighteous. The sin nature of man is in rebellion against God and His Word. The Christian too is in a battle against the flesh which is in a battle against the Spirit of God. Jesus warned His disciples of this that they would face this suffering but not to fear because He had overcome the world and through Him, the Christian can also. "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

This testing of our love and faith is a theme that is seen in the Scriptures. Abraham, the father of the Israelite nation was tested when he was told to sacrifice his son Isaac. (Genesis 22:1). The Israelite nation was tested by their wanderings in the wilderness. (Deuteronomy 8:1-5) David in the book of Psalm invited God to test him that God would know the intention of his heart. "Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart." (Psalm 26:2)  The wise King Solomon also recognized the value of God’s testing. "The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts." (Proverbs 17:3) All over the world, and all who live on the earth will be tested by the result of sin that has destroyed the very goodness of God’s creation. Those who keep the Word of God in their hearts will escape the final test. "Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." (Revelation 3:10)

Let there be no misunderstanding. God did not cause the tribulations that we face here in this world. Man’s fall to the temptations of Lucifer is the cause of tribulation in this world today. Prior to the fall of man, there was no need for testing of Adam and Eve’s faith and love for God their creator. Before the forbidden fruit they had no knowledge of evil. They had no thought of disobedience until they chose to disobey the Word of God. The Lord God uses this flaw of man to test his love and faith and to give him the perseverance to overcome the wiles of Satan. God is able to take the troubles, the trials, and the tribulations that man encounters and work them for man’s good. God is able to take the curse and make it a blessing for His Kingdom, for His glory, and for man. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Even God Himself, Jesus, faced the trials and tribulations of this world as a result of sin. Jesus in the course of His life and the difficulties of sin was able to overcome them and not succumb to them because He abided in the will of His Father. Jesus faced His trials and tribulations, He went to the cross to pay the wage of sin, the very sin that caused the trials and tribulations in this world. If someone offered to pay my debt without cost, then I would humble myself and accept their grace. Jesus paid the sin debt of the world and so many suffer because they will not humble themselves and accept His free offer of salvation. There is not one, no not one, which God placed in hell, they all chose to go there. They all rejected God and went their own way, without faith, without love, and without salvation. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

The result of the testing of our love and faith towards God in the end game is praise. When we have come through the fire of testing we will be as refined gold. This is the purpose of God to restore His fellowship with us. As we have praised Him for leading us through our testing, He will praise us for reaching the prize. "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7) As we have glorified God by the living of the life He has given us He will glorify is with a crown. "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." (1 Peter 5:4) As we have honored Him through our humility in service, He will honor us. "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." (Matthew 25:21)

The joy that the Christian has is not a longing for joy when the trials are past, but it is an overriding joy that is present within us now. That joy is what we have already received now and soon shall see, the realization of our love and faith. At the acceptance of Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive a pledge from God that ensures our entrance into the gates of Heaven. "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge." (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) We have been redeemed, bought and paid for by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. We carry the mark of His Spirit that all in heaven will rejoice as we enter into the fellowship with the Lord God Almighty. "Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones." (Psalm 116:15)

This then is the perspective that we hold dear to our hearts that as we encounter the trials of life God has already worked them out for our own good, for His glory, and according to His perfect plan for our life and the accomplishment of His purpose. As we move through the present trials or the ones soon to come, let us rest in the joy that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ, both now and forevermore. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)

Thomas N Kirkpatrick

First Baptist Church of Durant, November 16, 2017