Suffering

Lately ive been learning how God purposely removes Himself from our senses. David who wrote the psalms constantly cries out to God, asking why He would hide His face. We know God is always there for us, but how come sometimes it may seem He has abandoned us or been absent for a meeting? Why does He allow for us to undergo such hardship and suffering? We find ourselves constantly battling our sin, constantly feeling far from God, and distracted from following Him.

I believe this is the next step in sanctification. He tests our faith, to see where we'll turn when these trials arise. He doesn't immediately intervene with His comfort because He watches how we deal with our suffering. His discipline may sometimes involve Him separating and hiding from us. This allows us to chase after Him. This actually sharpens and refines our faith. Will we trust in God's sovereignty, faithfulness, holiness and perfect love even when we're completely surrounded in darkness?

This is a similar story to the life of Job. Everything came crashing down on him all at once. Perhaps God took away Job's worldly blessings as a consequence for trying to make sin sacrifices for his children. Perhaps God wanted to see if Job could endure Satan's temptation. Perhaps God removed His face from Job to see if he would turn from God's promises.

The apostle Paul is also known for persevering through much suffering

"Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches" 2 Cor 11:24-28

Paul also mentioned how he had a painful thorn on the side of his body, and 3 times Paul cried out to God to remove it, but God answered back "My grace is sufficient." This gives light to us that it doesn't matter how much we have to suffer in this life, it doesn't matter if we lose everything in this life, it doesn't matter if we become sick, get persecuted or thrown in jail. Even while Paul was facing death each day, he was found worshipping God and singing songs of praise. Although he lived an uncomfortable life, he became rich in spirit, rich in knowledge and rich in grace.

Yesterday as i was swimming, God reminded me of His love again. I have been found wandering off from His love. I have been found seeking after other things, and putting other things in front of God. I increased my own will and put God on the back burner. Everyday i back stab God, everyday i betray the One i love. And yet everyday my God is full of love, grace and forgiveness. I learned once again that nothing else matters when we embrace God's love. I lack nothing, for i know my God loves me unconditionally. My God has reminded me of my purpose to live to glorify Him and to share the good news of His wonderful love.

But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6

I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn^a]"> of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3

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In this day and age, men are still focused on serving themselves. Men are still only concerned with accumulating more wealth and gaining more worldly pleasures, when one day these things will pass away and they will have to forfeit their very souls. God has already sent enough messengers. God has already made His warnings very clear. A day is approaching where God will judge each man for the work of his faith. He will separate the righteous from the wicked. He will gather the wheat into His barn and throw bundles of weeds into the fire. He will separate the Sheep from goats. Families will be separated. And not everyone who will cry out "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven.

What did we do with what God entrusted us with? Will we be like the servants who multiplied what God gave them? Or will we dig a hole and hide our faith? Will we live out our faith bold and unashamed? Will we be like the 5 bridesmaids that we're prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom, or will we be like the 5 bridesmaids that we're unprepared and missed the bridegroom and we're left with the doors closed shut? Will we be like the people who trusted the ark of Noah and we're saved from the flood? Or will we be foolish and reject the saving hand of God?

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matt 7:13-14

"If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." 1 Cor 3:12-15