Can Suffering in This World Be Really a Blessing?

 

“Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. Daniel 11:33-35 (NIV)

 

Trials, tribulations, turmoil all seem a part of life. Those who teach the gospel throughout the world are certainly not exempt from this. Indeed, there are many places in the world where worshipping Jesus Christ may result in torture, death, and loss of everything this earth offers. This is not new to our generation. This has been the story throughout the ages as God drew to Himself a people who would worship Him, a people to be His own. Our journey through a world broken and ravaged by pride, self-exaltation, and all the sins of a humanity where each person desires to be “god” in their own life; certainly will be filled with trials. Particularly, those trials will be greater for those who seek after God. The humble servant’s heart that would serve God in a sense goes completely against human nature. It is no wonder that the message of Salvation by Grace Alone is a message hated by pride filled men and women.

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How to Serve God with a Humble and Certain Heart

Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory Daniel 2:37

It was with great humility and certainty at the same time that Daniel went before the mighty King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel’s humility came because he fully understood that God was Sovereign over detail of life. It was God’s Sovereignty that had placed even this pagan King upon the throne and that allowed Judah to be taken captive. Daniel’s own fate had been God’s providential hand at work. Even if Daniel did not fully understand all the mysteries of God’s plan; Daniel still trusted God’s Mercy and Grace. After Daniel and his friends had earnestly prayed, God revealed to Daniel both the dream and the interpretation of the dream. So, it was that Daniel went before the King with both a humble spirit and a certainty of heart.

 

God had warned Judah over and over that their worship of selfish desires and pagan gods was leading toward their captivity. Yes, God was in control of the events. We do know that it was God who allowed this Pagan King to take Judah captive.

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Is The Salvation Of One Valuable Enough To Me To Suffer?

Is The Salvation Of One Valuable Enough To Me To Suffer?

I left off with a question yesterday. What if our suffering was a means God uses to bring another person’s salvation; would we see suffering differently?

In Psalms 22, as David prayed in great anguish to God, David presented a picture of Christ. Was David aware that thousands of years later, we would see Christ? Could someone reading those words, followed by Psalms 23 and 24 open their heart to Christ and be saved? If indeed our moments of greatest anguish could be the catalyst that caused one person to alter their eternal destiny, would we be willing to embrace the suffering?

Pete

 

 

 

 

In Memory of Pedro Barba Arroyo (1/15/42 to 7/23/1994)  A life transformed through suffering and pain—Salvation’s story of mercy and grace.  One soul saved to an eternity of joy, love and glory in God’s presence.

 

Portrait of Pedro Barba Arroyo as done by Ronald Barba

 

 

[bctt tweet=”Is the Salvation of One Soul valuable enough to me to embrace suffering in my own life? “] It certainly was for Christ. I have learned it is for me. [bctt tweet=” The suffering of this world, if it endures a lifetime is but a split second compared to eternity. “]

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