March 12 He’s With Us In Suffering
“For it has been granted to you, that for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in Him
but also suffer for His sake…” (Philippians 1:29)
It’s a common objection to the existence of God: “If God is good and loving, why is there so much suffering?” A good and loving God does exist – and He suffered! For you! If Christ, the Suffering Servant, endured suffering, why would we expect anything less? God doesn’t waste suffering. He uses it to sanctify us.
We are mistaken when we assume that we are distant or neglected by God because we are enduring trials. It is in suffering that He shows His closeness to us. He is shaping us, encouraging us to seek Him for comfort. This is a difficult thing to believe. We suffer for our faith. Our belief in Jesus is an offense to this fallen world. Our suffering, then, is proclamation; we suffer in faith, for our faith in the One who gives faith. He is with us through all of it.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, be present during our suffering that we may grow and live by faith. Amen.
