God's Will And Suffering - Part 1 Series

GOD'S WILL AND SUFFERING-Part 1

‘DEVELOPING THE PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARDS SUFFERING’

series :knowing the voice of God

KEY VERSES: “For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. If, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. Because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow His steps.” 1 Pet. 2: 15, 20, 21.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partaker of Christ's sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed ye may be glad with exceeding joy. (I Peter 4:12-13)

A. INTRODUCTION

You heard the voice of God. You sought guidance, it was given, and you set off along the road of life which God seemed to indicate. But as a result of this decision you are experiencing problems which would not have arisen apart from this new path of "God's will" on which you travel.

Like many other people you are now asking yourself a lot of questions

• Did I really hear the voice of God or have I made a mistake?

• Are these difficult experiences a sign from God that I am not living in His will?

• Does God permit suffering to come to someone who is living righteously within the will of God?

• Why me? Why now? What is God doing?

When Jesus was here on earth and spoke of the suffering He was to face on the cross, many of His followers deserted Him (John 6:55-66).

• They expected the Messiah to reign in power and glory.

• Instead, He spoke of suffering.

• They could not understand, so they turned away.

If you do not understand suffering as it relates to the will of God, then you too may turn from following Jesus when you face difficult circumstances.

Before Peter had received the Holy Spirit, he could not understand how suffering can come as God’s will.

• When Christ spoke of His suffering, he reproved Him, and had to bear the rebuke: ‘Get thee behind Me, Satan.’

• When his discipleship brought him into danger and suffering, he denied Jesus three times.

• He could not understand that suffering can come as God’s will.

With Pentecost everything was changed.

• He knew no fear.

• He rejoiced that he was counted worthy to suffer for His name.

• In his Epistle he ever connects Christ’s suffering for our sins with his example, calling us to suffer like Him.

“It is better, if the will of God so will, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing. Because Christ also suffered for sins once.” 1 Pet. 3: 17, 18.

WHEN THE BROOK RUNS DRY

There is an interesting Old Testament story of a man who experienced suffering within the will of God. That is the story of Elijah. Elijah experienced all types of suffering as he prophesied God's message of Israel. But the particular story we want to focus on is found in I Kings 17. Read this story in your Bible before continuing with the lesson.

When God first directed Elijah to the Brook Cherith, He provided for him miraculously. Ravens came to feed him, and the brook provided fresh water in a time when the nation was experiencing drought and famine. But eventually, the brook dried up. Why would God send Elijah to a brook He knew would dry up?

The will of God sometimes involves dry brooks.

But when we experience such difficulties it does not mean we missed God's will. Elijah had not missed the will of God. The Lord led Elijah to Cherith. He enjoyed its waters. His needs were provided. He was blessed of God. But when it was time to move on, God allowed the brook to dry up. This got Elijah's attention.

Perhaps God has directed you to a "Brook Cherith" in life. You know you heard His voice of direction. He blessed you at your brook. Your needs were met and you rejoiced in God's blessings. But then the brook ran dry. Maybe you no longer experienced the flow of God's power. Perhaps people turned against you. For whatever reason, your beautiful brook ran dry.

When the brook runs dry you can do one of two things:

1. You can sit on the bank spiritually speaking and complain about your fate. You can spend the rest of your life wondering why it happened and weeping over the dry creek bed. You can question the leading of God. Did He even bring you here in the first place? If He knew the brook was going to run dry, why would He have brought you here? Did you miss God's will? Or. . .