We all have something in common, we have all suffered,
some differently than others and some more than others, but none more than
Jesus
Suffering has existed since the early days of creation,
great people like Abraham and Sarah, Job, King David, Ruth, John the Baptist
and Paul all experienced great suffering.
Perspective, sometimes we need a perspective reset.
In a me first world we ask, why God, why do you let us
suffer so.
3 three points to consider when putting our sufferings
into perspective;
1) We chose it. Mankind’s fall into sin as is detailed in
Genesis 3 turned our back on God and invited the suffering we experience today.
We are an undeserving people that chose against Gods perfect plan. We are
deserving of hell.
Romans 5:12 (NIV) Therefore, just as sin entered the
world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and in this way death came
to all people, because all sinned.
Romans 6:23 (NIV) says; For the wages of
sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2)He chose us, he made a way out of this mess by paying a
steep price.
Luke 22:42-44 (NIV) “Father, if you are willing, take
this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) “He himself bore our sins” in his body
on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his
wounds you have been healed.”
John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave
his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.
3) God will ultimately triumph over suffering and we can
share in that if we choose him.
Revelation 21:4 (NIV) 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.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (MSG) So we’re not giving up. How
could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling
apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by
without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to
the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more
here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow.
But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
We have a God who loves us all dearly and has been
pursuing us, his bride since the beginning of time. On this day do you choose
him?
