The Cross, Suffering and The Will of God

This chapter is very simple and forward, stating that all that God does is good. One thing is for sure, we all will have suffering to endure and this is contrary to the way we want to believe because there isn’t one person who can honestly say they enjoy suffering.

God reminds us that tribulation is for our own good and that it will produce righteous fruit in due season and we can begin to build up our trust in the Lord, which will help keep our faith healthy and vibrant as we continue to grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:3-4 

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Note, the words “we also glory in tribulations”. The word “glory” means to make beautiful. How can you apply this truth to your life?

This chapter shares the story of Job. I want to take an excerpt from the chapter to help us to understand the mind of God and the faith of Job. Let’s review the part in the story where after his loss, his wife desperately cried out “Curse God and die, but Job simply replied, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

In your own words, explain how Job was able to believe that?

Let’s keep in mind, that Job does not know what has taken place behind the scenes, between God and Satan. Job only knows one thing which he is willing to lay his life down to (with much heartache and suffering) and that is: “that God is good”. Job indeed had it right.

It is the Lord who gives and takes away, while Satan’s motive is to tempt us, in order to bring us into captivity.

A powerful truth is, the way of victory and peace is to accept difficulties as from the Lord. Certainly, if we are God’s people, the trouble must get by Him to get to us. God’s way of peace is for us to accept difficulty in the spirit of believing that all things work out for our good.

Like Jesus said in his great hour of difficulty, “Shall I not drink of the cup which My Father has given Me?” (John 18:11)

From John 18:11, what key words speaks to you? 

We can learn from Job how to trust God in our time of need as Satan came again and again against him, but Job would not rebel as the Lord. What better way to thwart Satan and his plans, than to completely put ourselves into the hand of the Lord?

Therefore, we can say that Job was not mistaken, and we can follow his example in accepting all God’s providential dealings and be sure that it will bring blessings because “all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28).

No man can be wholly the Lord’s unless he is wholly consecrated (set apart) to the Lord, and no man can know whether he is wholly consecrated except by tribulations. That is the test.

To rejoice in God’s will when all is well does not impart anything to his children but complacency for the natural man. But only a born-again person can rejoice in God’s will when it disappoints and overwhelms because we know that God’s grace is sufficient. Therefore, trials that come our way should not be shunned but welcomed as a true test of our faith.

How can you apply this truth to your life? 

What does this scripture mean to you? James 5:10-11 

“My brethren take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful”.

The perfect example about acceptance and obedience is easily taught by Jesus, as He was a willing model for us when finally, after the third repeated cry, “Not My will but Yours, be done” Jesus embraced the Cross that was laid before Him.

As the author so eloquently writes, ‘He who does not welcome the Cross does not welcome God, which brings us face-to-face with the mystery of sufferings.

Can you see a new way of understanding suffering? 

                                     The Cross and The Will of God

There needs to come the time in our lives when we can honestly say, “Yes Lord, I believe”. Difficulties will come in various ways, what will you do? 

Too many times I let go of God’s hand and try in vain to work things out. I stumble and feel like I’m fighting as one who beats the air and without discipline.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27

Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Is this also you?

The chapter makes a clear statement that reminds us that God is in control. Allow me to share the author’s thought.

“God has laid upon man, commands which are utterly contrary to the flesh and to human understanding. These commands are often unreasonable to the mind, as well as ungrateful to the flesh. How impossible and unreasonable to demand that human nature loves its enemies, turn the other cheek, rejoice in suffering, in persecution, etc.”

Why do you think God has made such demands?

The author gives a thoughtful insight that we must consider. He writes,

“These commands which are contrary, will bring man face-to-face with themselves and with God, that they may see their need of His grace to do these very impossible deeds!

The Cross is a symbol of perfection that contradicts “the natural, at every point, as we know it”.

It must bring us through an awful process of inner crucifixion and to the end of our own self-will and a place of surrender so that we will do the will of God.

Time and time again we read in scripture of the healings that Jesus did. Think of the man who was lame; Jesus asked him to get up. The man with the withered hand, Jesus asked him to stretch out his hand (Matthew 12:13). What about the very relatable father with the sick son? Jesus simply asked him, “do you believe?”

Oh, how precious this story is, because Jesus looked right into his heart. And like us, the father saw himself face-to-face with the truth and realized his need.

Like these people, we too, must come to the end of our “self” and surrender to the will of God in Christ. It is through our surrender and obedience that we can live unto God.

Jesus said, “if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

The purpose is always to teach us to die to “self” and to bring our will into harmony with God. God’s redemption plan is to save man from himself, his wicked pride and self-exaltation. The power of the Cross is to work in us the blessed will of God.

Regardless, of the conditions and the difficulties of life, allow them to become “a chance to die to self”. By dying to the flesh, you are spiritually growing and freely living unto God.

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live”   Romans 8:13