WATCHWORD:
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 2 Timothy 3:1-5
20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. … 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”John 16:20-24,33
Meditation:
Suffering Revisited
The pastor intoned, “Suffering is part of life and is the pathway to joy.” He spoke of the “already” and the “not yet” when referring to us and pain or suffering.
C.S. Lewis can speak to us about pain. Can you recall a scene from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe of the most powerful Lion shedding tear after tear? It is a beautiful word picture, a poignant reminder that pain and suffering is no respecter of good health or strength.
You have probably heard this Lewis quote: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain and suffering: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Lord, isn’t there another way? Please, Lord, try the stone tablets again, I am sure it will work this time! But, no, clearly part of God’s plan is that our pain is a gateway to joy, for all who follow Him.
When we feel threatened, we call on Him. When our tests come back negative, we say “Thank You, Jesus”. Sometime the purpose of our pain and suffering comes later, in God’s own time.
Do you remember the true story of Jim Elliot and his colleagues, missionaries among Indian tribes in Ecuador. Elliot and four of his team were reaching out to a remote, and previously dangerous Auca tribe, after months of making some progress, all were killed. Two years later Elliot’s wife and another team of missionaries established contact, only to find the the earlier efforts had resulted in an openness to Christianity. Today there is a missionary post in the midst of the Auca tribe. God’s own time.
Here is another side to the matter of pain and suffering. Joy flows through our circumstances. It is not how we suffer, it is how well we suffer. Have you thought about how suffering well, without complaint, even with smiles, can influence us, encourage us and infuse confidence? Suffering well can be a blessing, to ourselves and to others, and deserves a response.
I was impressed with these words from the praise song entitled, O Christ be Magnified:
I won’t bow to idols
I’ll stand strong and worship You
If it puts me in the Fire
I’ll rejoice ‘cause You’re there too
I won’t be formed by Feelings
I hold fast to what is True
If the cross brings Transformation
Then I’ll be Crucified with You
Cause death is just the doorway
Into Resurrection Life
If I join You in Your Sufferings
Then I’ll join You when You Rise
And when You return in Glory
With all the Angels and the Saints
My Heart will still be Singing
And my Song will be the same
Oh, Christ be Magnified
Let His Praise Arise
Christ be Magnified in me
Oh Christ be Magnified
From the Altar of my Life
Christ be Magnified in me.
Bulletin Board:
In his diary Jim Elliot wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Jim was a man of faith, who left his all, right there, before his redeemer.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your loving-kindness and heart of sweet compassion, and thank You that in my times of deep distress and suffering, You have gently brought other people alongside me, to walk with me through the different seasons of my life, to comfort and encourage, to help and to advise. Thank You for all those whom You have used to draw near to me, to be Your hands to help, Your arms to support and Your heart to love. Thank You that You never forsake us nor leave us comfortless, but so often send showers of refreshment through Your many faithful witnesses and other avenues of support.
Thank You, Lord, that You truly are the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, and I pray that just as You have used many of Your children to draw alongside me and accompany me through those troublous times, that You would take my life and use me as a vessel of comfort and solace to others, who are facing similar difficulties and are themselves in need of comfort and help. Use me I pray, to comfort others who are suffering affliction, with the godly comfort with which I myself has been comforted by You. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
