Daily Devotional For Thursday, August 8, 2024

Yes. It is Totally Thursday all day. Suffering is something we Americans do not like and do everything we can to avoid. Most of the world has to live in conditions that most of us would never live in because we are so spoiled and blessed. The truth is in some Christian circles, it is believed that if you are a genuine follower of Jesus Christ, you will never have to suffer. And if you do suffer, it is because of some unconfessed sin in your life or your faith is too small. But that is false and a lie. It is a very enticing message by the wealth and health false teachers such as Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson, Kenneth Hagin, Robert Tilton, Joseph Prince, Creflo Dollar, Jesse Duplantis, Fred Price, and Jim & Tammy Faye Baker. 

The Bible is very clear that at times followers and disciples of Jesus will suffer for their faith. Here is what is amazing to me. These false teachers make it clear that suffering is not part of God’s plan for us, but it certainly was for Jesus — the Messiah. Peter, one of the original disciples of Jesus, was crucified upside down. If that is not suffering you false teachers, what is it then? He writes this in 1 Peter 5:10-11, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (11) To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (ESV).

The Greek New Testament word Peter uses that is translated as “suffered” is [πάσχω. pascho]. It means “to suffer for doing what is right, to experience misfortune, to be afflicted, to go through painful perils.” So to all you false teachers/preachers I mentioned above, how do you get around that? You can’t and you don’t. 

So, how do we endure suffering? — with hope. As Peter writes, it is hope that gives us the confidence that after we suffer here for Him, God will glorify us in heaven. And during this life, they can count on His continued work of sanctifying them through their suffering (cf. Ps. 33:18; Prov. 10:28; Rom. 4:18–21; 5:5; Gal. 5:5; Titus 1:2; 2:13; Heb. 3:6; and 6:19. In Romans 8:18, the Apostle Paul wrote these words: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (ESV). 

In this passage, the Apostle Paul uses a different Greek New Testament word for suffering — [πάθημα;, pathema]. This word means “to suffer evil, to undergo intense pain for the cause of Christ, to be afflicted with misfortune.” So to all you false teachers/preachers I mentioned above, I ask a second time how do you get around that? You can’t and you don’t. 

Peter and Paul were not cynics and neither one tried to sugarcoat our walk with Christ. Both acknowledge that suffering is part of being in Christ and a disciple of Christ. Both acknowledged that in God’s redemptive plan, He helps us win in the end. But until the end, Christ gives us hope as a bridge to get us there. If you grew up in church, you may be familiar with these lyrics from the hymn — How Firm A Foundation:

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine”

(Source: How Firm A Foundation, Baptist Hymnal, 1991, #338).

If you grew up in church, like me, you have sung this hymn that reminds us of the confidence and boldness we have in Christ in spite of suffering. Yet, even though we may sing these lyrics with gusto and enthusiasm, we tend to wane with suffering and burn our hopes up in the flames of suffering. This is why we need to remember the words of former atheist, now Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis who wrote these words:

“I am progressing along the path of life in my ordinary contentedly fallen and godless condition, absorbed in a merry meeting with my friends for the morrow or a bit of work that tickles my vanity to-day, a holiday or a new book, when suddenly a stab of abdominal pain that threatens serious disease, or a headline in the newspapers that threatens us all with destruction, sends this whole pack of cards tumbling down. At first I am overwhelmed, and all my little happinesses look like broken toys. Then, slowly and reluctantly, bit by bit, I try to bring myself into the frame of mind that I should be in at all times. I remind myself that all these toys were never intended to possess my heart, that my true good is in another world and my only real treasure is Christ. And perhaps, by God’s grace, I succeed, and for a day or two become a creature consciously dependent on God and drawing its strength from the right sources. But the moment the threat is withdrawn, my whole nature leaps back to the toys” (Source: C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p. 106).

He describes us to a “T.” When suffering comes, we quickly forget Bible studies, sermons, Scripture passages, life lessons and even God. And though we may run quickly to God for help, when the suffering or pain eases we tend to resort to our previous patterns of self-sufficiency. A good example is 911. After 911, churches were packed but as the days and weeks wore on, people moved on . . . unfortunately without Jesus Christ. 

Peter’s letter is addressed to Christians who were being hunted down by Rome—Christians who were thrown in the arena to be ripped apart by lions as Roman citizens cast bets on which ones would survive the longest. He writes to Christians who were dipped in tar, tied to posts and then set aflame because they claimed that Jesus was the light of the world and their calling was to light the way to Him. 

To these false teachers/preachers their theology, teaching and preaching mock the horrible martyrdom of men such as Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming and Roger Youderian — all who were killed by the Auca Indians as they took the Gospel to them in in the jungles of the Amazon on January 8, 1956. These false teachers/preachers are the only ones living healthy and wealthy lives as they ask their followers to send the money to fulfill their sinful greed for a $54 million private jet as Jesse Duplantis did in 2018. Kenneth Copeland has a fleet of private jets and planes (Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kenneth-copeland-televangelist-defends-lavish-lifestyle-and-use-of-private-jets-2019-06-04/).

Consider these Bible verses below:

• 1 Peter 3:14, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled” (ESV).
• 1 Peter 4:1, “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (ESV).
• 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (ESV).
• 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (ESV).
• Isaiah 53:3, “He (Jesus) was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not” (ESV).
• 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” (ESV). 
• Romans 5:3-5, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, (4) and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, (5) 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” (ESV).
• Romans 8:18, 35-39, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us . . . (35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (36) As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” (37) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (38) For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (ESV). 
• Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account (12) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (ESV).

Yes, I got a little carried away on the verses about suffering above for a reason. I wanted you to see that Jesus, Peter, Paul and James and Isaiah all affirm that suffering comes with being a disciple of Jesus Christ no matter what these money grabbing/false teaching preachers say.

Questions To Consider

1. Why do you think that false teachers as listed above are so appealing while the truth is very opposite of what they teach and preach?
2. Of all the Bible verses mentioned in this devotional, which one affects you the most and why?
3. When you suffer or go through pain, do you blame God or does it draw you closer to God? Why did you answer this way? Who have you known that claimed to be a Christian and then went through some suffering, walked away from God? Why do you think they did this and did you attempt to help them in any way?
4. Who have you seen go through some terrible suffering and they drew closer to Jesus Christ? Take time to reach out to them and thank them for the encouragement they are to you.

Scripture To Meditate On: John 16:33, I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (ESV).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, when I suffer in any way, I am going to take to heart Your words in John 16:33. Because You have overcome the world, I will also in one way or another. I praise You for giving me the honor to suffer for You. And if I retreat, or whine or complain, please convict me because people are watching me to see if You are real and true. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside!—Pastor Kelly