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God's Purpose in Our Suffering

It was just a few weeks ago that we returned from one of our annual “road trips” around South Africa. We had the privilege and enjoyment of seeing many interesting places and the beauty of God’s creation, in its many forms. Whilst we prepare for such a trip by reading about the location, history and features of each place, when we actually get there, there is always much more to appreciate than what can be recorded in a book or website. There are also many life-lessons which can be recognised and applied.

One such lesson was brought to mind after our visit to “The Big Hole” at Kimberley. As you know, the discovery and mining of diamonds made it world-famous, and as the saying goes “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” … hence the demand! Yes, diamonds are magnificent and very valuable gemstones. But … here’s the truth behind their beauty: they started off in life as black, dirty, common carbon! It was only through years of intense heat and pressure that resulted in their strength and purity.

So, here’s the spiritual lesson which comes from this refining process: God uses varying degrees of intensity of pain and suffering to rid us of impurities, so that we can become more like Jesus, the perfect Son of God. Yet, it’s not our strength which accomplishes such feats, it’s His power. The apostle Paul learned that spiritual lesson. He was very aware of his many imperfections and weaknesses, often pleading with the Lord to take them away. But how did He answer? 2 Corinthians 12:9 records the following:
“The Lord said to me: ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” (NIV)

I know that I speak for myself and many of you when I say how aware we are of our weaknesses. How we wish that they weren’t such a feature of our lives and that various forms of suffering and stress would be removed. But, may we learn the lesson and adopt the attitude that Paul did, when he said in verse 10: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (NIV) Whether it be the loss of health, employment, a personal relationship, or opposition or difficulty in your personal circumstances, you may be left feeling weak, discouraged and helpless. It is in these times and situations that you can and must turn to the Lord and declare your total dependence upon Him.

My friend, will you be encouraged by one writer (who battled with cancer) who said this: “When we experience the fiery furnace of suffering – whether physical or emotional, whether persecution from without or humiliation from within – God’s loving purpose is to make us pure and strong.” One last verse which I want to quote comes from Psalm 73:26. It’s a verse that I have written out and forms part of my daily devotions, as well as my daily encouragement: “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” (NLT)

Then, be sure to join us each Sunday (beginning 4 August) as we study the life of Joseph, under the sermon series title of “Overcoming Life’s Challenges”. I believe that you will be strengthened in your faith as you allow God to mould your character into His likeness.


With love from your pastor and friend, 

Geoff Milligan, pastor of Mowbray Baptist Church, Cape Town.
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