In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Our strongest, most natural desire is to get free of suffering and sickness as quickly as possible. We find ourselves constantly praying, “Take this affliction away. Give us good days, so that all may be well with us again!” But God cannot always give us good days. In this world we will have trouble, and more importantly, Jesus must have people who help him carry the misery of the world, who do not shrink from distress and suffering.
The Savior himself leads the way, carrying his Cross for the sake of God and his glory. God is glorified when Jesus innocently bears the sins of the world – our sins – and openly demonstrates in his own body how poor and Godforsaken we have all become, and how much we are at the mercy of death and destruction. For this reason the Savior does not shrink from crying out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). This should become our greatest woe –that this rebellious world is also forsaken by God, but unlike Jesus, it goes its own way. The Savior sighs to God about this.
Are we moved by this? Who of us sighs to God? Who is pained by the harm we have done and
continue to do to God and his cause? Yes, we sigh and pray, but don’t we mostly sigh and pray just for ourselves and our own need? We have so little heart for God. But that is what should pain us. Our longing should be only to honor God, as the Savior did, and to do so in our suffering. Only if we are imbued with the suffering and death of the Savior and only if, like him, we feel within ourselves the sin and the need of the world, is this possible.
When we grieve for the world and place ourselves in God’s hands, then we can truly act in faith. Such faith will bear fruit, not in the first place for us, but for God and his kingdom. Then God can work great miracles. And then, when it is time, we will also see what we have gained.
Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt
Thanks for this article. I'm am going through a time of distress right now and I wish God would just take it away. God has shown me that this is another opportunity to discard all my frivolous thoughts and trust in Him. He is sovereign.
ReplyDeleteSharon, take heart. Jesus knows and has also lived through difficult hours. You are not alone. We need to pray for more faith and it will be given.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful encouragement! I want to also let you know Sharon that when we face such difficult trials we should celebrate--because we know Jesus is very near! He came for the sick and that is one of the greatest encouragements to me in my own difficulties. I know that I don't have to be perfect or healed, because Jesus came to do that for us and with us. When we only look at Him for life and how to handle the next moment that is so painful at times--look up. He is in the room. You are not alone and God's angels surround you. That should bring a moment of incredible joy and celebration to know that Jesus is near. He will lead us and help us find a way through each moment then. My heart goes out to you Sharon and I will pray that you feel Jesus arm's around you in every moment. Nicole
ReplyDeleteI am terminal and decided to prepare for death and make all the arrangements to celebrate my life with a party at a nice restaurant on the day i am buried. This will be the first time that the people I have celebrated my life with will be all together. My faith tells me we have a better life forever. I am looking forward to being in the best of company forever with no more suffering. I am on a new journey to my real home. Take heart, my friends because I might be the one at the gate with all your family and friends waiting for you. I ask you to pray for me, Ginny as I begin my travel home. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Ginny I will be praying for your ever increasing joy. You will be seeing God face to face!!! I will be praying for you, my sister.
ReplyDeleteI thought the prayer for today from this same author is a wonderful help:
ReplyDeleteThen the peace of God, which is beyond our utmost understanding, will keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7, NEB
O Lord God, grant us your Spirit, that we may comprehend your peace. As we pray, help us to recognize what must come from you alone, for you are mighty and holy and your will is peace on earth. Your will is peace beyond all understanding, your peace in heaven and on earth and under the earth, your peace that opposes all sin and death and takes away every evil that can be named. We await you, O Lord our God, and you will hear us. No matter how long the battle lasts, we hold out in patience, for we are your children. We shall never lose the faith that your name shall be honored and that all things shall come into harmony with your will of peace on earth, your peace. Amen.
this article helps me a lot. i were in problems of sick family members and a father of my child in prison i use to pray for them everyday now they are healed and he is released, i use forgot to pray and sometimes pray for my self only.
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