Suffering in the Plan of God - Chapter One

Did you know that a real diamond will not lose its brilliance when viewed under water, but an imitation diamond will?  This is how a jeweler will determine a real diamond from a fake.  The real diamond will continue to sparkle with brilliance when placed under water and the fake diamond will all but lose its sparkle.

One of the reasons God brings suffering and trials into the believer's life is to test the genuineness of their faith.  John points out that when "the true child of God is put under the water of a trial, he will shine as brightly as ever."  

In chapter one, John gives us some reasons why believers suffer and reminds us that God is sovereign over our trials, using them to conform us into more Christlikeness.  Trials do benefit us and we would do well to take God's perspective on this!  In John's estimation, Abraham underwent the severest trial that any human has ever faced.  I would have to agree with him.  God told Abraham, himself, to kill Isaac.  John pointed out that from Abraham's test we learn that God's tests for us might involve people we hold very near and dear.  Amazingly, Abraham obeyed God, immediately.  His faith was of such brilliance, he believed God would raise Isaac from the dead.  Abraham didn't waver during this test and believed God would accomplish His promises to Abraham.  God of course knew what the outcome would be before He even began the test.  The test was for Abraham's benefit.   

"Surely God does not have to test any of us to find out what is in our hearts because He already knows.  Rather, He tests us so that we might know what is in our hearts.  In that sense He assists us in taking a spiritual inventory and self-examination.  Whenever God brings us through a severe trial, it will reveal to us either the strength or weakness of our faith, and the faithfulness of God.  If by grace we display a strong faith, that ought to encourage us that it's real and that it can become stronger as we continue to see the Lord in trials."

Besides the lesson of the quality of our faith, John gives seven other "lessons" God is teaching us when we undergo trials and suffering.

• The Lesson of Humility - "God sends trials to humble us.  He uses suffering to remind us not to think more confidently of our spiritual strength than we should."  Paul was sent "a messenger of Satan" to buffet him so he would not exalt himself, to preserve his humility.

•  The Lesson of Rejecting Materialism - "Trials and suffering wean us away from worldly things.  When God does send certain trials or sufferings into our lives, they will confirm the inadequacy of material things to meet our deepest needs or to provide any true resources for our time of stress and pain."  Moses was the example used here.  He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter and choose ill-treatment instead.  He considered the reproach of Christ greater riches.

• The Lesson of Eternal Hope - "Trials and suffering make us long for heaven."  Trials help us to gain and keep a heavenly perspective!  

• The Lesson of First Love - "Trials and suffering show us what we really love."  Abraham loved God above all else, being willing to sacrifice Isaac.  Jesus said that "if anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26)  Jesus was saying we must love Him so much that by comparison we will seem to hate ourselves and our families.  We must put our closest self-interests below our Savior's.  

• The Lesson of God's Blessing - "Trials and suffering teach us to value the blessing of God."  "Sensation and feeling say find pleasure at any price.  But faith says obey the Word of God and be blessed."  Jesus was the supreme example.  He humbled Himself, became obedient to the point of death on a cross.  Because of that God highly exalted Him.

• The Lesson of Empathy with Others - We all appreciate it when others genuinely and lovingly are able to identify with us in our sufferings, don't we?  We love having a sensitive friend  who understands.  It's reassuring.  We are able to better minister to others in trials like the ones we've been through.  Jesus of course is our most sensitive friend who understands.  (Sometimes a hug and just saying I love you and I'm praying for you is all it takes and is all that is needed at the time.)  Trials make us better ministers.

• The Lesson of Enduring Strength - "God allows trials and sufferings to develop in us enduring strength for greater usefulness."  Trials develop our spiritual muscles for future ministry.

May your thoughts be turned to Him often this weekend.