BLESSED IN SUFFERING?

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He wounds, but He also binds up; He injures, but His hands also heal. From six calamities He will rescue you; in seven no harm will touch you. In famine He will deliver you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes. You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals. For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you. You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing. You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth. You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season.”

“We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.”

Job 5:17-27

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

“Blessed is the one whom God corrects…”

These are the concluding words of Oliphaz in Job, Chapter 5.

In other words, as we suffer the discipline of God, we are to be happy.

Huh?

Job surely wasn’t feeling very happy. His words from Chapter 3 clearly revealed this. I don’t think you or I would be happy either if we had lost all our valuable possessions, lost our children, and then were left covered in sores from head to toe.

Just what was Oliphaz getting at?

Let’s read on and see.

For Job’s friend goes on to tell us not to “despise the discipline of the Almighty.” For although God judges and corrects, He also restores. Oliphaz asserts the following about God:

- “He wounds, but He also binds up…”

- “He injures, but His hands also heal…”

- He rescues. “From six calamities He will rescue you; in seven no harm will touch you.”

- He delivers. “In famine He will deliver you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword.”

- He protects. “You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes. You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals. For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you. You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.”

- He provides. “You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth.”

- He restores. “You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season.”

No one likes to suffer but everyone likes being brought out of that suffering. I liken it to deployments I had to go on when I was in the Navy…and I did many. When I would say goodbye to my family and leave the pier out to sea for an extended absence, it was painful and emotionally gut wrenching. It wouldn’t get much easier as day after day would turn into month after month. But then we would start to head home. Relief was in sight. And soon, we would arrive home and run back into the arms of those we loved. Our worlds were restored. The suffering of separation was over and replaced by rejoicing, giving thanks to God that He watched over us and brought us through the trial.

Indeed, we would not have entered into that kind of appreciation for God had we not experienced the hardship first. And maybe that is part of the reason why we go through difficulties in life. To gain a greater appreciation for God and who He is to us.

The scriptures are full of great wisdom when it comes to suffering and our response. We shouldn’t just look at the words of Oliphaz and leave it at that. Consider the following:

David wrote: “For He has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” (Psalm 22:24)

Why should we feel blessed in suffering? God is with us in the midst of our suffering and listens to our cries.

Paul wrote: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”  (Romans 5:3-4)

Why should we feel blessed in suffering? Because during that time, God is reforming us within, producing perseverance and character and hope.

Peter wrote: “For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”  (1 Peter 2:19-21)

and

“…rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12)

and

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”  (1 Peter 5:8-10)

Why should we feel blessed in suffering? Because in suffering, we share in the experience of Christ Jesus, the One through whom all Christians have their hope now and forever. As we walk the Christian walk, we are to be willing to walk the same paths that Jesus walked…and experience the same experiences He went through. This includes suffering. And so we are to rejoice when we go through suffering because we know Jesus went through it as well, leaving us an example as to how to deal with it and ushering us toward future glory, both when God Himself restores us and when we enter into the promise of eternal life at our journey’s end…a life that will no longer include suffering. Indeed, David said as much when he wrote, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.  (Psalm 119:51)

We get a glimpse of a rejoicing attitude in suffering from the words of Hezekiah who had suffered through an illness that brought him close to death before being restored. Hear this testimony from the Book of Isaiah:

“But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul. Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In Your love You kept me from the pit of destruction…”  (Isaiah 38:15-17)

Yes, God through the scriptures and in His Son Jesus Christ shows us clearly that He truly is a God who does all that Oliphaz says. He wounds but binds up. He injures but heals. He rescues and delivers. He protects, provides and restores. 

Thanks be to God for all He has been to us, all He is to us, and all He is yet to be to us. He is worthy of our rejoicing in all seasons of life, good and bad…and in Him and in Him alone, we are blessed.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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