In processing suffering my opinion is of little importance. Only through the eyes of Jesus through scripture, instead of through the broken lease of suffering, can I land on the truth that we live in an unfaithful world. Jesus’ life demonstrated betrayal even when He healed and never sinned against anyone. If suffering is intended to refine me, why did Jesus suffer? In our suffering we seek God’s presence and hope for growth. Will there be unexpected blessings, character development, or open doors? When I consider the future I struggle with God’s love and a martyr’s death. Yes, Jesus died for all but why do some die to defend the good news? I have encouraging friends around me but suffering is more between God and me.
The process in Psalm 13 (and in the booklet outlining scripture reading on the topic of suffering) King David goes through phases. First – how long Lord? Then he tries to get God’s attention again with – consider and answer me. Next is God’s honor should David’s enemy rule the day. But David’s heart is softening with – but I have trusted you and I will sing to the Lord. David’s lament ends in praise. I think the result was probably not instantaneous nor will our’s be. How do we get from questioning God to praising God? We are in this mess because God wants us to advocate for the lost. If our suffering were only because of our bad judgement it would be different. Eternity is real and we will all live forever – with or without God. Will we go from hardship, to endurance and, finally, Christlikeness?
In the Book of Acts the Apostles are reviewing what has happened to their Savior and friend. The Old Testament predicted Jesus’ suffering. They state that bonds and afflictions await them. Christ had to suffer and rise again and that resurrection proclaims life and an eternity with God. About Paul, the Lord speaks to Ananias saying, “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake”, Acts 9:16. I wonder if Ananias passed that on to Saul/Paul? The apostles were worthy of suffering shame for His name. That translates into any believer and follower of Jesus is worthy of suffering shame for His name. I’m curious about the meaning of suffering for a ‘Name’. It sounds like defending someone’s honor. It is persecution and being despised. Acts 5 gives insight into the jealousy of the high priest and all his associates. Peter and the other apostles responded to orders to be silent about the death of Jesus by responded with, “We must obey God rather than men”. Then a Pharisee named Gamaliel addressed the Sanhedrin that if this is of men it will pass but if it’s true you are coming against God. The apostles never stopped teaching. This isn’t joy in suffering as Job did or suffering because of some unrelated thing. It is specifically about two paths. One to say Jesus is the Savior of the world and another path of denial. A cross in the ancient world meant a condemnation. We say it was a false condemnation. Jesus said, “Unless you take up your cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” John 15:18 speaks of, “If the world hates you it hated me first”. So this suffering is a bit of not belonging to something terrible and that might be good. The world is evil and we have chosen a side that will place us with God in glory and there might be a price attached to that. We are tied to Jesus so we act in certain ways that are contrary to the world and it is contrary to our fleshly survival of the fittest responses to sign up for suffering and exactly why we fail each day. In looking at others comments on suffering for His name, most refer to interpreting this as a connection to resurrection power. We need Holy Spirit power to be conformed to Christ. It is not found in the world. Maybe that is why it seems so foreign to us. It is unimaginable to me today. Participating in Christ’s sufferings is the context for resurrection/renewing power beyond this world. And finally (for today), Revelation 12:11 – the end of it all – “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb, by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death”.
