Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: It Would Take a Miracle . . . To Heal This Wound
Weekend Music links on iTunes: No Not One - Brandon Heath, Holding Nothing Back - Tim Hughes, Lead Me to the Cross - Hillsong, God Is With Us - Mercy Me
Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
Think: In hearing Ben’s sermon on Sunday, 2 Thessalonians really rang home to me. The Apostle Paul writes to the Thessalonians about their faith, their suffering, persevering in the midst of trials and the final reward for fighting the good fight. It got me pondering again questions that so many of us ask, “Why do we suffer? Is there a purpose to be found in the pains of life?”
In 2 Thessalonians 2 Paul writes, “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”
There seems to be a direct correlation implied between persevering through suffering and our spiritual growth. However, have you ever sought God for something and felt he either wasn’t listening or maybe he responded with something you didn’t ask for? In 2 Corinthians 12 the Apostle Paul pleads with God for healing. Here was a man who had prayed and seen many healed but was apparently unable to experience healing himself. While many theologians have speculated, we don’t know for sure what his illness was that afflicted Paul. There is one thing however that is clear, God did not give him what he asked for. He asked for healing and God’s response was my “grace” is enough.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
One cannot deny the great impact Paul had, even going on to write most of the New Testament. In the midst of his own weakness and imperfection, God was able to accomplish great things.
Sometimes we seek God for what we need and he responds to us with something we didn’t ask for. At first there may be great disappointment, perhaps even feelings that God is not listening. However, in time clarity often comes as we look back and see that not only was God there in the midst of our pain but the very pain we despised has brought great growth in our life. I know I can look back on some incredibly painful experiences. I would never wish them on anybody and I would never want to experience them again. I would also not trade the good the came from them and the closeness with God that resulted either.
Do: Remember the Bible clearly teaches that in the world we will have trouble (John 16:33). None of us are immune. However God will use the suffering, persecutions and trials you endure while you were here on earth, even those that were intended to harm, and bring good from it (Gen. 50:20).
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to not lose sight of how much you mean to me as my personal savior. In my heart I know that the trials, persecutions and suffering I go through here on earth will be rewarded and that ultimately I will spend eternity with you. For that I am very thankful. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.
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