The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Colossians 1: 9-12,
"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light."
I note in Paul's prayer for these believers he asks God to strengthen them "with all power according to his [God's] glorious might". The request for strength is that they may have "great endurance and patience". Why does Paul ask for strength for these folks that they may have endurance and patience? Doesn't Paul here recognize these folks have come to know the Lord? If they know the Lord, if they are objects of God's love and affection, why would they possibly need strength for endurance and patience? Isn't God going to keep them from bad things, remove difficulty from their lives, relieve them of troubles in this life?
The occasions are countless over the years when I have heard someone make the plea to others that if they would but only give themselves to the Lord, the Lord would deliver them from whatever ills them. Finances, health issues, relationships, you name it. From the negative perspective, on many occasions I have heard folks who struggle with health issues, financial issues, kids taking the wrong path, etc. told there must be an issue of sin in their lives or a lack of faith. This premise is based on a notion that if we embrace the Lord in faith and are faithful to him, he will (let's face it - this is what is really being promoted) make our lives a bed of roses!
Is that true? Where do we turn in our Bibles for that notion? If it were true, why would Paul be asking for "great endurance and patience" for these believers? After all, Paul acknowledges the sincerity of their faith in the love they have for "all God's people", verse 4.
What about the martyrdom of Stephen, Acts 7:57-58? What about all the other apostles? What about the believers who were commended for enduring "a great conflict of severe suffering", insulted and persecuted, imprisoned, had their possessions confiscated? Hebrews 10:32-34? What about Paul who said, "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked." 2 Corinthians 23-27. What about Job?
There are many, many passages that speak to the suffering and hardship of God's people, wonderful people who loved their Lord. The next time someone offers the misguided notion that "if God loves you he wouldn't want you to be sick or poor or suffer, now would he?", kindly ask them to start reading their Bible. Possibly you can encourage them by offering to pray for them that they may be strengthened to have great endurance and patience since you know they are going to need it.
"Those whom I [Jesus] love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." Revelation 3:19. "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:11-12. If you are struggling with trials and troubles, if you are suffering from illness or infirmity, if you are experiencing painful issues in your family, it is no indication of God's unhappiness with you. We do reap what we sow, and the pain may be there specifically from God. But, it is no indication of a lack of God's love for you. In fact, it just may be his confirmation of love for us as he moves us on toward the maturity and equipping he desires to bring into our lives. God loves those who are his with an incomprehensible love.
The greatest demonstration of God's love was manifested not in the removal of the trials and difficulties of this life, but in the immense pain and suffering of Jesus Christ on that horrible cross as he secured the payment for our sins. We need to shed the childish notions of those who fail to study and understand the Scriptures and strengthen ourselves for what our God of love is surely to bring our way. We can take great confidence in Paul's words, "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." Romans 8:28-29.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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