Suffering & God’s Comfort
Scripture Reading For The Day: Job 5: 1-11
Scripture Quote: "but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5: 3-5 (NASB)
Have you ever wondered how God feels when one of his children suffers? Does he feel the same as we do when we comfort our own child in illness or despair? I think that he must. Although He is the one parent who has the power to alleviate suffering, so often he does not. Instead, He refines us as we endure this life’s hardships, permitting our suffering. It is all part of the design and yet I know that God suffers with us.
How would our faith grow if everything were peachy-keen and we had little or no need for God’s help? If our faith were never put to the test, would it remain? How can God's children grow stronger in spirit, and closer to Him, without trials? And how much more does our faith increase when we do see His Almighty intervention on our behalf or feel His Mighty Comforter sustaining us as we somehow find the strength to endure? It is the trials and sufferings we experience that teach us God’s continuous presence in all our circumstances and our dependence on God in our weakness – And by all this we grow and are strengthened.
Today’s Meditation: God holds us within the palm of His hand.
Memory Verse: For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5 (NASB