There's always something going on. I know I'm no different than anyone else. I could fill every night of the week with "stuff". Even with all that's going on, the Lord can still reach me with Scripture. Last week our Wednesday Night Group started looking at 2 Corinthians. As I read the first chapter out loud, I heard many grunts, gasps, and sighs as I read verse eight.
2 Corinthians 1:8 says, "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself."
Paul despaired of life itself? This pillar of faith? How could he be so honest? He's in leadership! Isn't that a sign of weakness? Doesn't he realize he could lose his position? Wasn't that the issue? How could an apostle be suffering so much affliction if he's called by God to be an apostle? My question is, how could he not?
Jesus had a few things to say about this. Matthew 5:10, 11 says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you." Later in chapter 10 verse 24 He says, "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master;" and verse 28, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;". Mark 8:34 says, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
Peter knew suffering too. 1 Peter 4:12-14 says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."
What can result from suffering? 2 Corinthians 1:9,10 says, "Why, we felt we had received the sentence of death; but that was to make us RELY NOT ON OURSELVES BUT ON GOD WHO RAISES THE DEAD (emphasis mine); he delivered us from so deadly a peril, and he will deliver us; on him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again." That's not a bad result is it? Also in verse four of 2 Corinthians Paul says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comforts, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to COMFORT THOSE WHO ARE IN ANY AFFLICTION (emphasis mine), with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
I think Richard Wurmbrand who suffered fourteen years for his faith in a Romanian prison could offer more comfort and encouragement than I could to a persecuted believer. Someone who has experienced cancer and it's treatments is much better able to comfort another cancer patient than one who has not experienced it. The same goes for divorce or the death of a spouse. You get the picture.
[Just as a side note, we pray for the Church in China, that the persecution would end there. I heard that they are praying that we in the United States would be persecuted for our faith! (I cannot confirm or deny that statement.) The point is this, look how much the Church in China is growing. Now look at the Church in the U.S. Many believe that the United States is now a post Christian nation. Look at the persecution of the early Church. What were the results? I once heard a preacher say, "The Church prospers where there is persecution."]
If you are suffering, know that you are in good company. For many have walked this road before you, Stephen (the first martyr), Richard Wurmbrand, and many, many others that I cannot name (the Lord knows their names). Let the Lord be your comfort and strength. Anticipate how you can be used by the Lord as a result of your trial. God bless y'all real good.
3 comments:
Excellent, Denny! (It's so easy to shy away from roads that might cause discomfort [assuming we have the choice], but we might just be forfeiting a higher calling and effectiveness in doing so. What do you think?)
Your sister Candace
Denny,
I have just begun listening to a series from Mars Hill (Mark Driscoll's) Church called trial. He is using 1 & 2 Peter as the Scripture for this series and has mentioned some of the same themes you use here ion your blog. Thanks for your insight and perspective. I really fell the Lord is using your blog for His purpose. Thanks for also being a fresh vice in these crazy times we live in. We need more folks unafraid to tell it from a balanced viewpoint, even if your balanced point of view is a hair lower than the rest of us! LOL j/k Thanks again
Keith
I wanted to share this little nugget I found while reading the preface to "The Weight of Glory" by C.S. Lewis. The preface is by Walter Hooper, who lived with Lewis the last summer of his life.
"The reason for the glumness was that, living in our neighborhood was a fierce old atheist of about ninety-seven who went out for a brisk walk every day. Whenever we met he asked if Lewis was "still alive", and on receiving my reply that he was indeed quite ill, he invariably said,"Nothing wrong with me! I've got a long time yet!"
I told Lewis that I was tempted - very strongly tempted - to tell Our Lord that I thought it montrously unfair that He should allow the naughtly old atheist to seemingly go on forever and yet let Lewis, who was only sixty-four, come so close to the point of death. "Mind you," I said, observing Lewis's face cloud over,"I haven't actually said it in my prayers, but I've come pretty close."
"And what do you think Our Lord would say to that?" Lewis said with a discouraging look.
"What?"
"What is that to you!"
Anyone who has read St. John 21:22 - Our Lord's rebuke to St. Peter - will recognise Lewis's application of it in this instance. And then tenderly, tenderly, Lewis comforted me in what I had imagined was his sorrow, but which he knew was mine."
I read this thinking it was a great illustration of what we have been discussing of late.
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