Triumph Over Trials Sermon I: The Why Of Suffering Series

IN TIMES LIKE THESE --- SUFFERING PERSISTS TO THE EXTENT THAT WE NATURALLY ASK WHY

Soon after we were born into this world and began to take notice of all our surroundings we began to ask a toddler’s most irksome question: Why? Over and over again!

No answer sufficed. Why this or why that --- but not to a little one’s satisfaction. Finally, when mama’s patience reached its limit, she would say, “Because I said so.”

Now that we have arrived at that stage of life where we wonder less about things past and present but are more interested in things to come, there’s a nagging itch we still have about a few unanswered question -- why do we feel “up” some days and “down” other days . . . why were we not warned that growing old is not for sissies . . . why do some folks live beyond their allotted three score and ten while others depart this life too soon?

One question, though, has dogged folks since the dawn of the human race: Why does suffering exist . . . why me . . . why him . . . why her . . . why, why, why?

The subject is so expansive that the editor of our study guide figured it would take at least

seven sessions to deal with it adequately, if not conclusively.

My prediction is that when we finish this series, several questions on the subject will be left hanging. The best we can do is deal with it by turning to the Word of God for answers.

None of us should be surprised to learn that suffering is a part of living in a fallen world!

We are aware that the first humans sinned against God and suffered consequences to be borne not only by their descendants but also by God’s natural world. To take away privileges as a disciplinary measure has been a tool used by disciplinarians ever since.

The key phrase in the curse pronounced on mankind is best presented by the King James Version (Genesis 3:16-17) - “in sorrow thou shalt” - which pretty much says all we need to know about why so much on earth goes wrong and why everybody on earth does wrong.

“In sorrow” can mean different things to different people, so perhaps a listing of words familiar to all of us will help paint the dismal picture: agony, anguish, hardship, heartache, heartbreak, misery, mourning, pain, regret, remorse, sadness, suffering, worry, trial, woes, blues, depression, distress, grief, misfortune, tribulation, trials, weeping, troubles.

Do you think that lives marred and scarred by one or any combination of these negative consequence was God’s original intent for His creation? Absolutely not!

Defiance of God’s Directive was the cause of humanity’s fall and subsequent curse, BUT, was offset by Divine Determination to restore Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained as envisioned by the triune God before He, or they, created the earth and all that exists therein.

What a contrast there one day would be between Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained once God’s Plan for Restoration was enacted in real time: Whereas pain, hardship, distress (denoted in Genesis by “sorrow” and “sweat”) became inevitable because of sin, the LORD God provided for redemption from the consequences of sin, thus, giving us hope to carry on . . . of eternal life . . . guaranteed to become a reality!

Who in the entire Bible can we go to - for a reliable answer to the question of suffering? Not an attorney . . . not a politician . . . not a physician . . . None other than a man who suffered for righteousness’ sake – the Apostle Paul – Romans 8:18-25 . . . Consider what the Apostle Paul said in light of what the John previously said (John 3:2):

“Beloved, now are we sons of God, but it does not yet appear what we shall be.”

Folks: That is the theme Paul brings into focus in Romans 8:18-25. He deals with two aspects of the theme: suffering of believers and glorification of believers.

Suffering of believers (physical, emotional, mental) is linked with the glory that is coming. This is not to say: the greater the suffering, the greater the glory! Glory to be is never earned, but is part of our inheritance in Christ. Suffering, if for the sake of righteousness, also can be considered a privilege, as it was with Paul - but not as a promise of greater glory.

C. S. Lewis wrote about the glory to be which has been revealed unto us, summing it up this way: “The door on which we have been knocking all our lives will open at last!”

Might I add my two cents worth? “Oh, that will be glory for me . . . when by His grace I shall look on His face – that will be glory, be glory for me!”