When life imposes burdens that we have no choice but to bear, the choice we retain is the manner in which they are borne.
It is good for a man to bear
The yoke in his youth.
Let him sit alone and keep silent,
Because God has laid it on him …
~ Lamentations 3:27-28 (NKJV)
The world asks how a good God could allow so much suffering. The short answer is that God allows free will, free will leads to bad decisions which invite sin and death, and it is sin and death which bring suffering.
Faith in Jesus Christ and the salvation purchased with His blood sets us free from sin's eternal penalty. The Holy Spirit teaches us to walk in liberty from the power of sin. But we obtain no free pass from the suffering which exists in a sinful world.
God could allow His own to endure a lesser degree of suffering, might lay upon His children lighter burdens. God's most faithful servants receive no such exemption.
Paul and Elijah visited the place where they despaired of life. Job and Jeremiah came to curse the days of their births.
Jeremiah had called his people to repent, lest God pour out His wrath upon them. When they refused, Jeremiah shared in their punishment and suffered along with them.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the LORD.
~ Lamentations 3:26
Perhaps—perhaps—God allowed Jeremiah to suffer so that he would set an example of faith in God's goodness, of belief in God's purposes. Jeremiah's ability to praise the Lord and curse his own life in the same breath (Jeremiah 20:13-14) is proof that it can be done.
We may be proven in our defining moments,
but we are made in our quiet ones.
~ Billy Coffey
All praise to Your good and holy name, Lord God Almighty. In the place of abundance, in the place of drought, may we ever believe in Your purposes and plan.
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Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Wow, amazing post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. Amazing God!
Delete"So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus."
~ Acts 5:41
That Jeremiah suffered right along with them... The way Moses and Paul both offered themselves up, if God would have so have it, in exchange for the people in their care.
ReplyDeleteSuffering (and joy) are all part of the package. Thanks for this reminder, Anne.
Yes, Lyla, suffering and joy and salvation all come wrapped up in a HUGE package. All for glory—His first, and ours as we are united to Him. The more we are able to focus on His glory rather than our suffering, the less the suffering seems to be, I think.
DeleteFor I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
~ Romans 8:18
I am just starting to read Jeremiah so this is a timely post for me. Thank you Anne! Lori
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to meet you, Soraya. I hope you do visit again. ♥
ReplyDeletefree will, Anne???..... sssshhhhhhhhh... someone will accuse you of heresy...
ReplyDeleteFree will, NataĊĦa, might be defined as our degree of cooperation with God's sovereignty.
DeleteGod's sovereignty is perfection of love, but true love does not force itself on its object.
If this is heresy, I plead guilty. : )