18/06/2018
Peace and joy in the midst of suffering...
I don’t often quote song lyrics instead of scripture but this line from an old song popped into my head when I was thinking about what to write this week -
‘I never promised you a rose garden...’
My thoughts were again pondering the seeming dichotomy of our Christian walk. On one hand we have promises of peace and joy. On the other hand our lives are filled with constant trials and struggles and Christians everywhere, in all stations of life and at all times suffer together in this.
I won’t be deceived by the current ideologies of a number of prominent church leaders who are preaching incorrect Biblical doctrine and theology concerning the kingdom of Heaven – implying that it is here and now. We live in a fallen world at present.
There is death and disease; there is evil and injustice; both the wicked and the innocent suffer. Nowhere does God promise us a perfect life on this earth until Christ returns again to rule and reign. Only then will this world be restored.
So what about this dichotomy that we are facing? Well, the clue lies in finding peace and joy in the midst of suffering, not at its ceasation.
We find the answer, as always, in scripture – Gods word to us.
The story of Job is always a good place to start, but James 1: 2 and 3; 1 Peter 1: 3 to 9 and Romans 5: 3 and 4 are a few short passages that show part of Gods sovereign purpose in the trials and testing times we experience. It is always to strengthen our faith and to teach us something.
So, to recap – living in a fallen world will inevitably result in suffering circumstances, God can deliver us from anything but He wisely uses these times to teach us important things, and He lovingly sends the Holy Spirit to bring joy and peace in the midst of it.
There we have an answer.
It’s not one or the other – it is peace and joy in the midst of suffering.
[Translation: NIV Bible]
