Daily Devotions
Hope for Suffering Saints
Title: Hope for Suffering Saints
Reading for March 24: 1 Samuel 8-12
Weekly reading for March 18-24: Philippians 1-4
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
Through the years the book of Job has been a popular book for those who are suffering. There is a connection we feel with Job when we're in the midst of pain and grief. There is a special kind of inspiration and comfort we receive from this great book.
That being said, the book of Job can be as exasperating as it is encouraging. In the end, there are no explanations. There are no answers. All we know is that a righteous man lost everything. He then grapples with the question of why (with the help of his "friends"). But for the most part everyone is in the dark. In the end God speaks, but most of what he says about the inability of the creature to understand the ways of his infinite Creator.
We should remember that Job is not the only book we can go to when we're suffering. Why not go to Philippians? While Job only raises questions, Philippians offers answers. It doesn't answer all of our questions, but what it does say is enough to give us hope and strength. It shows how our suffering can encourage the saints, how it can serve as a light to sinners, and, most importantly, how it can help us to know Christ (1:12-14; 2:14-16; 3:10).
But, more than anything, what draws me to Philippians is Paul's unique perspective on suffering: a perspective that was shaped by the resurrection. It gave him perspective on both life and death. Because of the resurrection Paul had purpose in life ("to live is Christ"), but even more purpose in death ("to die is gain").
Come, Lord Jesus! Deliver us from this world that has been cursed by sin!
