The Sovereignty of God in Suffering - III

c. Is it God’s Will That I Should Suffer? 

There are different facets of God’s sovereign will in our suffering. Two cases are clearly seen in Scripture: 

First, that God’s permissive will is shown in suffering – for instance, with Job, He said to Satan, ‘this far you may go and no farther’. He gave Satan permission to cause Job to suffer, but His sovereignty was still very clear. Satan was limited by God’s power and control. God was still the Master over Satan and Job, over each of their lives – over Satan’s, in that God put limits on Satan’s acts, and over Job’s, in that Job had no say in whether or not he would suffer all these things. 

Second, that God’s active will is shown in suffering as well. God states in Scripture that He will give of the bread of adversity; that He will put us into the fire – He actively controls all aspects of our suffering, for our good and His glory. Nothing is outside of His power. 

Elisabeth Elliot knows what it is to suffer.  She suffered the loss of her husband, Jim Elliot, who was murdered by the Auca Indians that he so desired to see come to a knowledge of the saving grace of God.  She encouraged Jim Bowers, a missionary whose wife and daughter were killed by the same bullet, with these words: 

"He knows exactly what He is doing, and suffering is never for nothing. It says in 1 Thessalonians 3:4, "We are bound to suffer hardship," and Samuel Rutherford points out to us, "It is ordinary. It is a part of the cross. Suffering makes pleasure more poignant. It can only reveal the depth of Christ's love.""[1] 

Why does God send us trials of emotional, physical and spiritual suffering? 

1) God sends us trials for His own sake, and for His own glory. 

Isaiah 48:10-11 - "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another." 

God says it is for His name's sake and for the sake of His praise. When we go through a trial, Who is the only One Who can bring us out of it? Is that not God? Can we ever trust ourselves? Is our own strength enough? No; our own strength is not strength at all. 

Besides that, punishment of sin clearly shows the justice of God, and for that also He must be glorified. Either through His mercy or His justice, His glory is clearly seen. 

2) God sends us trials to punish us for our sin. 

Jeremiah 9:7-9 - "Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do, because of my people? Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully; with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him. Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?" 

When I drive my car I stick to the side meant for me. I obey the stoplights and I yield to pedestrians. If I didn’t, chances are I would be charged and fined,  and someone could be seriously injured or even killed. There are reasons for laws and rules, just as there are reasons for punishment. 

Job 37:10-14

“By the breath of God ice is given,

and the broad waters are frozen fast.

He loads the thick cloud with moisture;

the clouds scatter his lightning.

They turn around and around by his guidance,

to accomplish all that he commands them

on the face of the habitable world.

Whether for correction or for his land

or for love, he causes it to happen.

“Hear this, O Job;

stop and consider the wondrous works of God.” (emphasis mine) 

God is merciful in sending us trials for correction. If He sat back and let us continue in sin, how much we would heap on ourselves! Indeed, suffering in this instance is a mercy, not a burden. God sends trials so that we stop what we're doing, see our wickedness, repent, and look for Someone else to save us. 

3) God sends us trials to refine us. (Isaiah 48:10) 

Daniel 11:33-35 - "And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time."

 How can something be refined, or purified, unless it goes through some heat? Things are scrubbed, rubbed, and buffered to be made clean. The Fire of God burns away the dirt and chaff of our sin, and so we suffer for our own sake, for purification and refinement. 

Suffering changes us for the better, as it helps us to cast our cares upon God. 

"George MacDonald, the Scottish writer, wrote, "Were it not for suffering, millions of human beings would never develop an atom of affection. It is folly to conclude that a thing ought not to be done because it hurts. There are powers to be born, creations to be perfected, sinners to be redeemed all through the ministry of pain that could be born, perfected, and redeemed in no other way.""[2]

 4) God sends us trials so that we may become steadfast in the faith. 

James 1:2-4 - "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." 

James 1:12 - "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." 

How does faith grow? It cannot grow if there is nothing to feed it. Someone who goes through life without suffering never has to hope. It could be argued that someone with an easy life has difficulty in developing faith. Faith comes through suffering. 

5) God sends us trials so that we may share Christ's suffering. 

1 Peter 4:12-14 - "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." 

Who has suffered more than Christ? Are we not called to share in His sufferings? Is a servant greater than his Master? No indeed, and as our desire as Christians is to become Christ-like, we should then bow in humility through suffering, enduring it just as Christ did, opening not our mouths.

---

[1] Elisabeth Elliot Gren, “If God Should Choose”

[2] Ibid.

Part 4