Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thess 5:18)
Further reflecting on Job, I was encouraged by these three thoughts. So many in ministry, and particularly those who work in hard (unreached, frontier) places, will know what it is to be enduring a protracted season of intense opposition from the enemy, and ongoing 360 issues of heartbreak in a broken world. There seems to be an exceptional season of suffering for many of God's faithful currently. I don't think that is my interpretation alone, or unique to us as believers, but it is widespread and intense for those at the missional coalface. We need to keep the bigger perspective of God's eternal goodness in view when there are so many immediate stresses. What should we focus on to maintain a spirit of thankfulness?
1. Remember that we are not the ones who are called to understand and deal with all suffering - God is. Be thankful that we have a Saviour who carries the burden for us.
For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust
Psalm 103:14
In our bible study on suffering, training and seminars for field workers, we regularly identify 9 potential causes of/ reasons for suffering. Some may suffer because they are out of step with God, and it has brought chastening and discipline. For others, there is no such sin, but the effects of evil individuals towards the righteous, the many ramifications of a fallen world, or the mystery of God achieving something complex through suffering that we do not yet understand. The mystery of providence is great, multi-perspectived, but above it all, we need to remember that the goodness of God is greater, and that He does not require us to master all suffering. Above all our many uncertainties, soars the certainty of God. The certainty of who He is is enough to go through each day. Remembering that God is God brings the great release of burdens. The heaviness of multiplied unresolved issues can be settled in the eternal embrace of the one who carries us by His grace. (1 Peter 5:7)
2. Job reminds us that an integral part of authentic and acceptable worship is to lay our unanswered questions before God. Be thankful that we have such a compassionate, gracious, loving Saviour who wants us just as we are, who calls us to honesty, not pretence, and who wants us (with all our unanswered questions). When we lose everything else we know, we will never lose Christ (Romans 8:31-39)
I've seen some suffering in many places; others have seen this in far greater measure. I would count myself as a lightweight compared to friends in many places who have received persistent and protracted (inescapable) persecution. Maybe you are in that season just now, where any comprehension of a greater suffering than you are currently experiencing seems utterly impossible and overwhelming. The goodness of God is the same yesterday, today and forever, yet today there is a low dark cloud, and it is hard to see past such. Behind it lies the glory and goodness of God, which still shines and always will.
Flying from the UK, I often take off in the rain (like today, and come to think of it, many recent days), but above the clouds in the heavenly perspective, the sky is clear and calm every day. There is no darkness above the cloud, only the blinding sun. There is a God who reigns, has a greater perspective, comes into our darkness and descends into a depth of darkness none of us has experienced (Phil 2:1-10). Because he did, he conquered darkness in all forms, for all time. Because he completed this in unqualified obedience, he was exalted to the highest place. His rule is glorious, eternal, inconquerable. It is hard to see with the multitude of suffering in front of our eyes, we are in the last days awaiting His return, but the fact is not changed. He has won. He asks us to lay our burdens before Him and for us to know His presence in them. We do not understand today, but the unanswered questions (and I can have many at times) are part of our open integrity and relationship of love with Him. (cf Habakkuk 1 and 2, Jeremiah 12:1-17, John 9:1-41). Asking God about why the wicked prosper or why evil seems unrestrained, this is not wrong, but ordained for those who walk in His way. Worship Him in the beauty of who He is and the fact that He is God. The more we ask such questions, the greater view we have of Christ, the character of God, His justice, His Holiness, His grace, His plan, His faithfulness.
It is He who has the burden to resolve all things and will do so. Let God be God... don't carry the burden of unanswered questions by yourself. Pour your heart out in worship.
3. Give thanks for the eternal plan of God revealed in Christ and His cross.
Our greatest questions at the darkest of times lead us to a greater understanding and personal experience of our God in His glory. The darkest of times shine a clear light on the deepest of truths. Job reminds us of the surpassing wisdom of the cross. God has taken into account not just the suffering of one individual but all cosmic suffering of a broken world once and for all. For all who trust, all who groan (Romans 8:2-22), for the certain place he has prepared for us, there is resolution in His eternal and earthly plan. Suffering will end, His faithfulness never will. All wrongs will be put right, all injustices straightened. God's plan is perfect, Christ has accomplished and completed.
I know that my redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth.
It is hard for us to see that from our perspective, with earthly eyes, when we have always lived in a sin-ridden, broken, fallen environment. The immediate is unrelentingly painful. However, His Spirit groans within us. He gives eyes of faith to see further ( 2 Cor 5:7). We walk on because we see where His path and journey for us lead. In His wisdom of eternity past, our God ordained a day when the biggest of questions would be resolved. He accomplished it. How awesome our God is. A day in suffering is a long time, but it is a season, limited, and will reach an end (1 Peter 5:10). God has taken all the days of suffering and dealt with them in His Son at the darkest time of all dark times. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; all fear is gone.
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