painful – Praying Pint

19.k. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Romans 5:3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:2-3  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

Hebrews 12:11  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Romans 15:4  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

We can glory in tribulations (literally, stresses) because they are the occasion to produce perseverance (endurance). Spurgeon said it something like this; “A Christian should expect and know trials and troubles come to them as well as the unsaved.” Our faith untested by troubles and trials is much like a runner who never trains for the race. All of his ability is in his mind, and when the race begins he is quickly unable to continue.

“Whatever virtues tribulation finds us in, it develops more fully. If anyone is carnal, weak, blind, wicked, irascible, haughty, and so forth, tribulation will make him more carnal, weak, blind, wicked, and irritable. On the other hand, if one is spiritual, strong, wise, pious, gentle and humble, he will become more spiritual, powerful, wise, pious, gentle and humble.” (Martin Luther)

“‘Tribulation worketh patience,’ says the apostle. Naturally it is not so. Tribulation worketh impatience, and impatience misses the fruit of experience, and sours into hopelessness. Ask many who have buried a dear child, or have lost their wealth, or have suffered pain of body, and they will tell you that the natural result of affliction is to produce irritation against providence, rebellion against God, questioning, unbelief, bad-tempered, and all sorts of evils. But what a wonderful alteration takes place when the heart is renewed by the Holy Spirit!” (Spurgeon)

More than likely we would rather have God just sprinkle perseverance and character and hope on us as we sleep. We could wake up a much better Christian! But that isn’t God’s plan for us or for any Christian.

“Lord, I won’t seek trials and search out tribulation, but I won’t despise them or lose hope when they come. I trust Your love in everything You allow. I surrender to Your perfect will, plan, and purpose for and in my life. You are my God and I trust You for you are my rock, refuge, and fortress whatever the trials or troubles are.”

7.x. Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.

Revelation 16:1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea. The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!” And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!”

God’s wrath is let loose on mankind. All of those who have rejected Him, His message of repentance, and salvation through Jesus Christ will experience His wrath in ways that have not been known to mankind. Know this, His wrath is furious as His love is full of grace and mercy. We often think about His absolute pure and holy love but fail to see that His wrath, anger, and judgment are absolutely pure. All of the judgments that have come at the hands of man and Satan are nothing compared to God’s wrath and judgment. The first bowl is harmful and painful sores. This afflicts all who have taken the mark of the beast, all who have rejected the message of His witnesses, and those who have killed the saints (those who have rejected the beast and have come to Jesus Christ.) Even during the 7 seals and the 7 trumpets and all of the calamity, unrest, and wonders associated with these judgments, people still choose to deny Jesus Christ. Do you ever wonder how hard a heart has to be to reject the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ and choose to be blind to things that are happening at God’s command? We might understand how it happens right now in the US as we live during a time of prosperity. People just don’t see a need for Jesus Christ, and if they do, it seems as though it is not with their whole heart, mind, and soul, but with a want for the benefit but without and change in their life. How many times are we neglectful and complacent with our time in His Word, prayer, and humble service? How many times are we chasing after things this world has to offer and not the things of God? How many times do we choose the worldly stuff over Godly living? We can read about God’s judgment against those who have willfully and knowingly rejected Him but how much more do we deserve His judgment for willingly and intentionally choosing to live lukewarm Christian lives that serve no more as a testimony to Jesus Christ than those who openly deny Him. We do well to search our heart, mind, and soul for that which hinders us from humbly serving, honoring, following, trusting, and obeying Him.

Trust, faith, hope, reliance and love

Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Psalms 119:71  It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

Psalms 119:67  Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Hebrews 12:10-11  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Genesis 37:4  But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

Genesis 37:18-20  They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.  They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer.   Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.”

Psalms 56:5  All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil.

Genesis 45:5-8  And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Acts 2:23  this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Acts 3:13-15  The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.  But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,  and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

Romans 8:28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Is not God Sovereign? Is He not righteous? Is He not all powerful? Is He not loving? Is He not the author and finisher of life? Is He not all knowing? Does He not have plans and purposes for us? Is He not a place of refuge? Is He not a comforter? Is He not able to do more than we ask and can imagine? Is He not living water and bread of life to our soul? Has He not promised eternal life to those He loves and called according to His purpose and eternal death to those who do not? Has He not given great and many precious promises of hope to our soul? Has He not sent the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our paths? Does He not know the thoughts, intents and actions of man?

Why is it then that we think we will never fall on troubled times or be disciplined by Him? Why do we think, this side of eternity, we will have an easy go in life different from what all mankind face? Why do we think death and judgement will not reach us until another time? How do we expect our faith, worship, thankfulness and love for God to grow if there is no need for dependance upon Him? How do we expect to hear His whispers of guidance if we see no need for it? How do we expect to see His handiwork if there is no want or desire to see it? How are we to speak of His holiness if we never seek to understand it?

Why do we not seek His wisdom and understanding in all things? Why do we allow good times to lead us into complacency and neglect?

Trust, faith, hope, reliance and love come through knowing Him more and more each day through all of the trials, troubles, and easier times in life.

We do well to respond as David did; Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

His plan and purpose for our life

Psalms 119:71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Psalms 94:12-13 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.

1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

Hebrews 12:10-11 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

“I, for my part, owe more, I think, to the anvil and to the hammer, to the fire and to the file, than to anything else. I bless the Lord for the correctives of his providence by which, if he has blessed me on the one hand with sweets, he has blessed me on the other hand with bitters.” (Spurgeon)

“ ‘I never’ – said Luther – ‘knew the meaning of God’s word, until I came into affliction. I have always found it one of my best schoolmasters.’” (Bridges)

“Yet we must guard against the misunderstanding that seasons of affliction automatically make one better or godlier. Sadly, there are many who are worse from their affliction – because they fail to turn to God’s word for wisdom and life-guidance in such times.”

“Very little is to be learned without affliction. If we would be scholars we must be sufferers. . . . God’s commands are best read by eyes wet with tears.” (Spurgeon)

“By affliction God separates the sin which he hates from the soul which he loves.” (John Mason)

Even trouble can be good if we allow it to teach and grow us in wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the word of God and His holiness.

“the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.” It is a continuing change worked by God in us, freeing us from sinful habits and forming in us Christlike affections, dispositions, and virtues. It does not mean that sin is instantly eradicated, but it is also more than a counteraction, in which sin is merely restrained or repressed without being progressively destroyed. Sanctification is a real transformation, not just the appearance of one.”

“Regeneration is birth; sanctification is growth. In regeneration, God implants desires that were not there before: desire for God, for holiness, and for glorifying God’s name in the world; desire to pray and worship; desire to love and bring benefit to others. In sanctification, the Holy Spirit “works in you, both to will and to work” according to God’s purpose, enabling His people to fulfill their new, godly desires”

Finding God’s will and purpose for our life will take us on many paths of His choosing if we but desire to follow. Sometimes we can get a bit sideways and in looking for His plan and purpose we loose sight of Him. I know this seems a bit confusing but I recently heard it preached this way; Instead of asking God to show you His purpose and plan for you life first – Seek to know and understand Him more. Instead of putting your want for His plan and purpose for your life defined and laid out – Seek to honor, glorify, worship, and praise Him first. Seeking/desiring to know and understand more and more of His holiness with a heart, mind, and soul deep commitment to honor, glorify, worship, praise and serve Him will open our eyes to His plans and purpose.

Momentary affliction

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,”

Psalms 38:1 O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath! For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me. There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me. My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off.

Hebrews 12:5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Proverbs 15:10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.

We do not have to walk long on this path with God to experience His hand in our life. Blessings, one after another. I wonder if we count His discipline as a blessing. We should but sometimes we have wondered away and He loves us so much that He disciplines us to get us back on path. Staying close to God is always a blessing. What is it that is pulling you away from this closeness?