Delighting In God

DELIGHTING IN GOD

“Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” - Psalm 37:4

When I was growing up, certain things brought me delight. I enjoyed special days like Christmas Day, our annual 4^th of July family reunion and the first day of summer vacation. I looked forward to such events with great expectation.

As an adult, I tend to find delight in the times I spend with family, friends and church. Relationships bring me great enjoyment. Yes, I still look forward to special days and events, but it's the people that bring delight to me.

In Psalm 37, we are told to delight ourselves in the Lord. Based on the facial expression I see among professing Christians, I'd predict that most church members struggle in this area. While they believe in God, they don't really cherish Him. They don't enjoy His presence. They don't seek His face. They don't find much delight in Him. That is tragic.

One of the reasons that Christians struggle to delight themselves in God is because there are so many things that distract them. The enemy has strategically placed many items along the way to lure our attention away from the Lord.

Have you ever driven the freeway at night? For many miles you have only the freeway lights and other cars providing you light. However, when you approach a large city, the entire landscape is illuminated with many buildings, signs and exits. For miles, you've traveled in the darkness of night, but now the bright lights of the city have your attention. You can't help but look at some of the sites. When you see signs advertising a restaurant, you suddenly have an appetite. It takes effort to keep your eyes on the road.

This happens in life. Our eyes need to be focused on Jesus, but there are many bright lights, flashy signs and impressive scenes to capture our attention. We have social media, television, streaming music and the responsibilities of life to keep us occupied. Time that should be dedicated to the Lord and His work is quickly drained by entertainment, social events and hobbies. We find ourselves saying, “no,” to the things we should be doing, while saying, “yes,” to the things we should avoid.

How can we delight ourselves in the Lord?

First of all, we must value Him for who He is. We tend to delight in the things we value most. Sadly, many believers have undervalued the Lord. They would refuse to admit it, but their actions say otherwise. We value money, time and family relationships. I am not critical of this, since each one does have certain value. However, when you realize that these things are gifts from God, it should heighten our value of the Lord. He created money, time and relationships. He gave them to us, simply out of His goodness and love. Furthermore, His gifts are reflections of His grace. Money, time and relationships have limitations. Our Lord is inexhaustible. He is eternal. We need to value Him for who He is. When we value Him as we should, our hearts will gravitate towards Him. We will find our delight in Him.

Secondly, we must give of our time to Him. We need to set aside time to meditate on Him. We should concentrate on the cross and His resurrection. We should consider all the blessings that we have because He has saved us. We need to express our affection through worship and praise. We should regularly give Him thanks for the blessings we receive. We should learn more of Him as we read the Scriptures and hear sound Biblical teaching. We should share in our devotion with other believers at a local church.

As we spend time with the Lord, our delight in Him increases. Psalm 16:11 says, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Notice that we experience joy when we are in His presence. Obviously, the more time we spend with Him, the more this joy abounds. Let us be like Mary, who sat at His feet and heard His word. Our Lord said of her, “Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her,” (Luke 10:42).

The psalmist wrote, “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Most people jump to the end of this verse and then try to manipulate God into giving them what they want. However, the promise of the last part of the verse is contingent upon us keeping the first part of the verse. He gives us the desires of our heart WHEN we delight ourselves in Him. You see, when you delight in the Lord, the desires of your heart begin to change. Rather than desiring worldly possessions, fame or selfish goals, your heart yearns for more and more of Him.

It was said of David that he was a man after God's own heart. Where are the people with a heart for God today? Where are the individuals who refuse to accept anything less than the Lord Himself?

Why can't that person be you?

Loving God

LOVING GOD

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” - Matthew 22:37-38

After His resurrection, Jesus asked Simon Peter three identical questions, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” What if the Lord asked you the same question. How would you respond?

I think most believers would like to give a positive answer to the Lord's question. No doubt about it, we love the Lord. But do we really?

It is one thing to know the Lord, it is another thing to love Him. While it is good to cultivate a greater knowledge of the Lord, it is even better to have a deepening love for Him.

For many believers, their love for Jesus began with great intensity, but slowly the love has declined. The church at Ephesus had this problem. The Lord said to them, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Notice that the Ephesian church didn't lose their first love. They left it.

What about you? Perhaps you can talk about the love you once had for Jesus, but what about right now? Do you love Jesus with all your heart?

Jesus taught us, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” Notice that this is more than a suggestion, it is a command.

Let's be honest about it. Most American Christians struggle with the idea of obeying commands. We don't like being told what to do. We tolerate this on the job, but resist it elsewhere. Even at church, we enjoy hearing about God's love, but we tend to get uncomfortable when challenged to repent of sin, surrender to the Lordship of Christ and obey His commands. Our lack of obedience to God demonstrates our lack of faith and devotion. It is a serious matter. Somehow, we've turned the commands of God into options.

Jesus said that the greatest commandment of all is to love God. Thus, if we fail to keep this commandment, it is a serious matter. If we fail to love God, it is because we love something or someone else more. We are guilty of idolatry and spiritual adultery when we exalt something or someone above God Himself. Only God is worthy of our ultimate love and devotion.

When Jesus commanded us to love God, He said we should love God,”... with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” We should love Him from the heart. Loving God is more than an intellectual exercise. It is an emotional experience. Love should come from the very core of our being. It is more than “going through the motions.” It is the engagement of our heart.

Secondly, we are to love with all of our soul. It is a spiritual experience. Only a born-again believer can love God properly. A lost person is spiritually dead and unable to love God fully. A follower of Jesus can love God because he has had a life-changing experience of grace. He has been given a new heart … a heart that loves God.

Third, we are to love with all our mind. It is a mental experience. Loving God is not an “out-of-body” experience. As our minds are renewed by the power of the Word, we learn more about our Lord, causing us to love Him more and more. Worship is more than an emotional event. Genuine worship includes the involvement of our minds as we meditate on God. Our love for Him grows day by day.

If you feel that your love for Jesus has weakened, let me suggest that you block off all distractions and read Isaiah 53. Slowly meditate on the chapter. Think about the cross and its implications for your life. Mentally picture the Lord dying on the cross for your sins. Think seriously about the love that motivated Him to sacrifice everything for your sake. Consider the fact that you were the reason He willingly endured such agony. Consider how He rescued you from sin. Think about how He saved you and changed your life. You owe Him everything. Such a long session of meditation will cause love to grow in your heart for Him.

Let your love grow even deeper by expressing your love to Him. When it comes to loving God, speak it. Verbally tell the Lord that you love Him. Secondly, show it. Obey His commands. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Finally, share it. Tell others that you love the Lord. Share with them why you have genuine affection for the Lord Jesus. These three things will cause your love to reach new levels of intensity.

God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. Through Him, we have eternal salvation.

Do you love Him?

Fear Factor

 FEAR FACTOR

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” - Proverbs 9:10

I am not a huge fan of “reality” shows. Part of the reason for my opinion is that such shows don't really reflect reality. They would be better categorized as “unscripted dramas.” In an effort to provide inexpensive programming, TV executives schedule these shows. The cost of producing a TV series is getting too expensive and viewership has shrunk. “Reality” shows and game shows may be produced for a fraction of the cost and still produce a viewing audience.

In the early 2000's a “reality” TV show aired that was entitled, “Fear Factor.” I truly disliked this show. The whole premise of the show was to put ordinary people in terrifying situations. Who wants to see people eat bugs or lie down in a container with snakes? Some must have liked it. The show aired for about five seasons.

While these unnerving situations make for a TV show, we don't like to face fear in real life. Whether it is the prospect of making a public speech or facing our own mortality, fear is something we'd rather avoid. Fear is like a red light on the dash of your car, warning you that a potentially harmful situation is near. Like other emotions, fear can be based more on fantasy than reality. Much of the things we fear never come into fruition.

Yet there are things we should fear. These fears are healthy fears that should not be dismissed. For example, it is healthy to fear a venomous snake. This fear prompts us to treat a poisonous reptile with respect. We shouldn't take a copperhead or rattlesnake in our hands and treat it like a pet. Fear keeps us from such a foolish act. Furthermore, fear keeps us from driving recklessly on a snow covered road. It is a healthy fear that keeps us from touching a live power line. No, we're not “scared” of a venomous snake, a snow covered road or electricity, but we have a healthy fear that keeps us from danger.

Proverbs 9:10 tell us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Sadly, these days we don't hear many sermons about fearing God. Pastors would rather preach about positive subjects while neglecting negative topics. Yet is important for us to fear God.

When I was growing up, my father was someone I looked up to. He was my hero. I thought he was invincible. He was smart. He had a sense of humor. He was skillful. He was talented. I loved my father. Yet I also feared my father.

Such a confession may rattle some who read this, but it is true. I loved and respected my father, but I also feared him because he practiced discipline. Why did my parents enforce strong discipline? They didn't want me to grow up to be a disrespectful, dishonest and despicable person. They didn't want their son to bring shame to the family because of a criminal act. They didn't want their son to be known as a crook or habitual liar. Discipline is a means of correction, but it is also means of teaching. I was taught that there were things to avoid … and other things I needed to do. Yes, I feared discipline. But I also feared disappointing my father. This fear kept my life from getting out of control.

I feared my earthly father. But I also fear my heavenly Father. Why should we fear God? First of all, because He is God. The fact that He is God should render a degree of fear within us. Far too many people treat Him like a gentle grandfather or a butler. He is the sovereign God of the universe.

Secondly, we should fear God because of His power. He has awesome power. He is the One who brought judgment on Sodom. We do not want to live in open hostility against One who can destroy us forever. Who can stand before the One who has the power to destroy everything? Some teach that Christians should not fear God in this manner. Yet in Matthew 10:28, Jesus said, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Third, we should fear God because of His affection for us. We should fear doing anything that hurts that One who loves us the most.

Fearing God is just the beginning of wisdom. We are wise to fear Him, knowing that we must stand before Him very soon. We must give an account of our lives. This same fear prompts us to warn others of impending judgment. In Psalm 34:11-14, the Bible says, “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” Fearing God keeps us from evil. Fearing God also prompts us to do right.

We need a revival of godly fear in America. In an age where education is emphasized to the neglect of wisdom, we need wise men and women. This begins with us fearing God once more. It must begin with you and me.

Be wise. Fear God.

When God Remains Silent

WHEN GOD REMAINS SILENT

“But he answered her not a word.” - Matthew 15:23

In our moments of desperation, we tend to cry out to God for help. Our most earnest prayers come from a pit of despair. Our petitions tend to be very sincere and specific in such moments. Yet there have been times that our frantic pleas were met with silence from above. There are times in such moments that He chooses to be silent. We feel as though a wall has separated us from Him. It almost feels the veil of the temple has been put back in place. Our access to God feels severed. Our prayers feel like words bouncing off the ceiling. In spite of our desperate situation, God seems to remain silent.

There are times we feel this way because we are not receiving the answers that we desire. We cry out aloud, but God may answer in a whisper. We look for a miracle, but He provides mercy instead. We seek for healing, but He provides comfort. In these situations, we often look back and see what God has done and give Him thanks. But at the time, we feel like He has let us down.

At other times, silence is all we receive from Him. In our text, a lady comes begging Jesus for the deliverance of her daughter. She needs a miracle desperately. She knows that Jesus can provide it. This is her one and only chance to get help for her child. In spite of her plea, Jesus did not answer her a word.

Perhaps you can identify with this. Maybe you are currently going through private pain. You have been praying for God to resolve a situation, but no answer has come.

As mere humans, we cannot fully comprehend the ways of God. It is not my intention to explain God's actions. I am not God. He is. He is sovereign. He does not come to any of us for consultation. Since He is Lord of all, He can do whatever He wishes. I cannot explain why the Lord may be silent in spite of your predicament and pleas.

So what should we do in those times when heaven seems silent? What should be our response when the Lord seems to hide His face from us? I am not an expert on this, but I do wish to offer some practical tips.

First of all, we must understand that such times do come to God's people. Even the most committed Christian may face times of divine silence. Job was a God-fearing man. Job was a man whom the Lord even commended. Yet when Job faced great suffering and heartache, he cried out to God and God seemed silent for such a long period of time.

Secondly, we must look within. Is some sin hindering our prayers? Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” We need to ask ourselves if there resides within us a sin that we need to repent of. Sin may be keeping our prayers from being answered.

Third, we should recognize the smaller things around us. God may be doing things that we are overlooking. In your time of pain or grief, you may have Christian friends who are praying for you, supporting you and available to help. Have you ever thought that such friends are a gift from the Lord? Grace may come in different ways. God may be doing much more than you are giving Him credit for.

Also, we need to embrace the spiritual discipline of waiting. We live in a right-now culture. We expect immediate results all the time. The psalmist advises us, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” As I once wrote in a song, “The best things in life are worth waiting for.”

Furthermore, we need to practice persistence in prayer. Keep praying until an answer comes. It has been said that God's delays are not necessarily denials. It could be you are one prayer away from a breakthrough.

Finally, we need to trust God during the times of divine silence. Faith includes trusting God during times of uncertainty. Charles Spurgeon once said, “God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”

God's silence does not mean that He doesn't care. Neither does it mean that He has quit working. Even when things seem out of control, He is still on the throne.

Be comforted in this fact: God is good and He is in control.

Health, Healing & Hope

HEALTH, HEALING AND HOPE

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” - Psalm 103:2-3

Good health is a gift from the Lord. He grants us this gift each moment. Like most of you, I tend to take this gift for granted. I must be honest and confess that I haven't taken my health seriously in the past. That is no longer the case.

Although good health is a gift from the Lord, He is not obligated to grant this gift to everyone all the time. Rather than feeling entitled to good health, we need to recognize it as the gift it really is and thank the One who provided it.

3 John verse 2 says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” I know that many will pin their theology around this verse. However, this is John's greeting of good will rather than a promise of prosperity and health. Notice he says, “I wish above all things...” This verse conveys John's wish, not God's promise. When I write a personal letter to someone, I will often begin by saying, “I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health.” This is basically what John is saying in this verse. Thus, we cannot use this as a proof text that it is God's will for everyone to be wealthy and healthy.

Sickness, disease and death exists in our world because of Adam's sin in the Garden. It is true that some people are suffering because of bad choices. For instance, cigarette smoking can bring long-term health problems years after a person quits. The same can be said of substance abuse and other unhealthy lifestyles.

But most cases of suffering cannot be directly attributed to bad choices. Covid has killed many. Cancer continues to kill the young and old. Heart disease remains a major problem. Alzheimer's disease is a sad reality for many.

Good health is not promised for everyone. People in the Bible suffered, including strong believers. Job suffered greatly. Paul had a thorn in the flesh. Timothy had a stomach ailment.

Since good health is not guaranteed, we must face these questions: Does God still heal? Is divine healing still possible? There are two extreme views on this issue. On one hand, there are some who feel that divine healing is a thing of the past. They think that supernatural healing died with the Apostles. On the other extreme are those who believe that divine healing is promised for everyone who has faith to receive it.

We have no evidence to prove that divine healing has ceased. There have been too many documented cases of healing to indicate that it still occurs. Many can testify that they have known cases of miracles … including myself. The Bible never declared that healing would cease at some point after the first century.

On the other hand, the Bible never guarantees healing either. In fact, the Apostle Paul prayed for his “thorn in the flesh,” be removed … but his request was denied. We find no record that Timothy's stomach ailment was healed. Paul simply gave him practical advice about treating his problem. In 2 Timothy 4:20, Paul mentions that he left Trophimus sick at Miletus. These men were not healed --- and it wasn't due to their lack of faith.

We must come to the conclusion, then, that God does heal, but does so after the counsel of His own will. God is sovereign. Although we don't understand all the details of His will, He is in control. He is greater than cancer. He is stronger than heart disease. He is God. He has the power to heal anyone of anything at any time.

So why doesn't He? Why do little children die? Why do the best saints seem to suffer the most? Why does He heal one person while dozens with the same disease perish? Doesn't God care? Of course He does. Yet there is more to the story than we can comprehend. He knows things we don't know. The details of His plans are so vast that our finite minds cannot comprehend them.

It is not wrong to ask God to heal someone. We should have the absolute confidence that He can do it. But also we should entrust Him with the outcome, whether it be healing or not.

Here's the sobering truth. Unless Jesus returns in our lifetime, none of us are leaving here alive. All of us will face death. We are currently dying. Since the Garden of Eden, death has prevailed over mankind. Thankfully, the story has shifted. Jesus came and defeated death, hell and the grave. He died on the cross to pay for our sins. His resurrection three days later guarantees the resurrection of every one who believes in Him. That is our blessed hope.

Our hope lies in the fact that one day, Jesus will return. In a split second, every believer will rise to meet Him. Whether we are dead or alive at that moment, we will rise to be with Him forever. In heaven, there will be no sickness or disease.

That is the happy conclusion every believer is longing for.

Pain & Praise

PAIN AND PRAISE

“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” - Job 1:20-21

How often do you sing? Daily? Weekly? Occasionally? I have to admit that I don't sing as much as I once did. Looking back, there were summer days when I would sit on the front porch swing and open a new Southern Gospel convention songbook, sight-read the music and sing brand new Gospel songs. I haven't done this in quiet some time. I used to sing a great deal when I drove. I still make positive use of my commute to and from work, but singing is not normally on the agenda. I need to get back to singing more often. Yes, I sing at church along with the congregation each time I'm at church, but I need to revive my private time of singing.

Singing should be more than a vocal exercise. Properly conducted, Christian singing should be offered as praise unto God. Praise, whether provided in song or words, is the process of vocally giving tribute and honor to God. You see, you can praise the Lord without singing and you can sing without praising the Lord. Praise is a means of adoration and reverence, issuing from a human heart. God is the target of this praise. He, alone, is worthy of such praise.

We tend to praise the Lord when things are going well. Problems and pain tends to suppress our singing. Yet God is good all the time. He is good on my good days and He is still good on my bad days. He is worthy of praise at all times. Every day is a good day to praise the Lord. Yet it is easy to say this when things are going well. 

When I have bad days, I am reminded of Job. He had some really bad days. I find comfort in the fact that someone has been through worse conditions that I am going through. Consider the magnitude of Job's problems: Job lost his health, his wealth, his children and was mistreated by his wife and friends. To make things worse, when Job prayed, it didn't seem like God was answering. When Job needed him most, God didn't seem to be available. Can you identify with this?

After hearing that his children had been killed, the Bible says, “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Grief, pain and uncertainty had suddenly come upon Job. Yet Job was resolved to praise the Name of the Lord in spite of his circumstances. That is a valuable lesson for all of us to remember.

If you only praise God during the good times, you are robbing God of praise He deserves. The goodness and grace of God should prompt us to praise Him. The truth is that God never changes. Our circumstances may change. The weather constantly changes. People may change. The stock market rises and falls. Jobs may come and go. Good health can't be counted on. But God never changes. He is still great. He is still good. He is still worthy of praise.

When I consider all the Job suddenly lost, it makes me feel better about my bad days. Yet Job continued to pray, serve God and praise Him. His faith was under attack by the enemy. Yet Job stood firm. Yes, he had questions. He struggled. Job really suffered. His situation seemed unbearable. God's silence was the worst part of his situation. Yet Job was resolved to praise the Lord.

What about us? If your health is taken away, never to return, will you still praise the Lord? If your spouse leaves you, will you continue to serve God? If your friends turn against you, will you let it rob you of your song?

My father passed away in 2020. A year or so before his death, he was in the ICU at the hospital, struggling with pneumonia, atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. We were visiting him on a Saturday evening. Knowing we were going to church the next day, he told us to praise the Lord at church. He said to praise the Lord even in the bad times. God blesses those who bless Him. Dad advised us that when things seem bleak, praise the Lord anyway.

That's what Job did. David did this, too. David wrote many of the psalms. Some of his psalms were written during times of uncertainty and despair. Paul & Silas praised the Lord as they were bleeding in a prison cell. It is always a good time to praise the Lord. Including right now.

Don't wait until you have a pain-free, care-free day. Praise the Lord today. He is worthy. You may find yourself being blessed in the process. Praise Him publicly. Praise Him privately. Worship Him alone.

Give your praise to an audience of One.

Suffering and Sovereignty

 SUFFERING AND SOVEREIGNTY

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” - Romans 5:3-5

Life is often difficult and painful. Following Jesus does not bring immunity to suffering. Some of the most notable saints have suffered greatly. None of us are promised a pain-free life.

Theologically, we understand that pain has come upon mankind because of Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden. Adam's sin brought pain and death to all of us. Yet we must confess that certain people seem to suffer more than others.

Skeptics would argue that either God is uncaring or unable to stop suffering. Neither accusation is true. God is aware of our suffering and cares about our pain. Yes, He can end suffering. One day He will.

For the committed Christian, pain is not a theological problem. While it is true that certain people suffer more than others, we do not argue or complain about this issue. We simply trust God with the things we don't understand. We know He can be trusted with all things, including our suffering.

Suffering may come in different ways. Many suffer physically because of disease or injury. Others suffer emotionally due to rejection, betrayal or personal loss. There are saints who struggle with depression and the suffering can be rather devastating. There are believers who wrestle with anxiety and panic attacks. Many are suffering today in our churches. Don't judge someone else's pain by your own experience. Their level of anguish may be far deeper than yours. Their capacity to handle pain may be far different from yours as well.

If you are suffering today, be assured that God knows about your pain. He knows how much you are suffering. He is available to hear your prayer. He has the power to bring relief. Take your case to Him. Also, enlist the saints around you. Have them pray with you about your needs. All of us need the prayers of others.

If God cares for us and can do all things, why does He permit suffering to continue in our lives? I cannot and will not speak on God's behalf. There is much I do not know. I can speak only from my experience.

One thing I've learned is that suffering is part of God's sanctification process. Isaiah wrote, “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10). Suffering can be part of God's pruning process, removing impurities from our lives. Just as heat melts away dross from a precious metal, the heat of affliction melts away sinful dross from within. Yet the sanctification process is more than just removing sinful things. It also includes shedding unproductive areas from our lives. It is impossible to grow in holiness without suffering.

Also, suffering makes us more like Jesus. While most believers desire to be more like Jesus, we don't always enjoy the process that may be required to move us in that direction. We have more empathy for others who suffer because of our own experience.

Suffering keeps us close to God. When life is easy and pain-free, we tend to drift a little here and there. Slowly over time, a distance grows between the Lord and ourselves. Pain has a way of reminding us of our need for the Lord. Suffering keeps us humble. Pain drives us to our knees. The promises of God get very precious to us when we are in pain.

Finally, suffering reminds us that this world is not our home. When we face pain and problems, we get a yearning for a better place. Apart from suffering, we tend to plant our roots too deeply in the soil of this world. Pain reminds us that we are not permanent residents of this world. We have reservations for a place far better than this. Our passion for heaven grows as we endure afflictions in this world.

God is in control of all things. He is very knowledgeable of your situation. He cares about you. Yet His concern runs deeper than the superficial concerns of daily life. His desire is for you to grow in holiness and become more like Jesus. Thus, suffering can be part of His plan. Realizing this, we should join with the Apostle Paul and say, “... we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

While God permits suffering in this world, it is only temporary for the child of God.