The Gospel

Quotations

By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestined unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death.
The Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. III:3

Those of mankind who are predestined unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him thereunto.
The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, III:5

Jonathan Edwards

The enjoyment of [God] is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husband, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams. But God is the ocean.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Reality Of Personal Suffering




I will be reading the Book of Job the next few weeks. One lesson I learned from Job in my previous devotion was-- Human Suffering. The Reality of Personal suffering plays out in my own life and many of my friends. I am going through a personal study by Paul Tripp and David Powlison "Changing Hearts Changing Lives". It is a great study. I am looking forward to it. There are 5 things I have learned so far about the reality of suffering.

1. God Is Sovereign: This is not an easy doctrine to hold on to when one is going through a major crisis or any kind of suffering. One might tend to ask where is God or is God punishing me? But the Bible tells a different story. The Bible tells us that God holds everything together in perfect harmony.

1 Samuel 2:2-7
2 “There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.3 Talk no more so very proudly,let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.4 The bows of the mighty are broken,but the feeble bind on strength.5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.The barren has borne seven,but she who has many children is forlorn.6 The Lord kills and brings to life;he brings down to Sheol and raises up.7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich;he brings low and he exalts.
Daniel 4:34-35
Nebuchadnezzar Restored
34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,and he does according to his will among the host of heavenand among the inhabitants of the earth;and none can stay his handor say to him, “What have you done?”
Proverbs 16:9
9 The heart of man plans his way,but the Lord establishes his steps.
Isaiah 45:7
7 I form light and create darkness,I make well-being and create calamity,I am the Lord, who does all these things.

Amos 3:6
6 Is a trumpet blown in a city,and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city,unless the Lord has done it?

Acts 4:27-28
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

Ephesians 1:11
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

2. God Is Good: In the midst of suffering, I know God is still good because He has always sustained me and has never left me. His Words are my strength and assurance. I hold on to His promises. His ways are not my ways so by faith I study and meditate on His Word.

Psalm 25:7-8
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me,for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! 8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

Psalm 34:8-10
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Psalm 33:5
5 He loves righteousness and justice;the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

Psalm 100:5
5 For the Lord is good;his steadfast love endures forever,and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 136
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever.2 Give thanks to the God of gods,for his steadfast love endures forever.3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,for his steadfast love endures forever; 4 to him who alone does great wonders,for his steadfast love endures forever;5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,for his steadfast love endures forever;6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,for his steadfast love endures forever;7 to him who made the great lights,for his steadfast love endures forever;8 the sun to rule over the day,for his steadfast love endures forever;9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,for his steadfast love endures forever; 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,for his steadfast love endures forever;11 and brought Israel out from among them,for his steadfast love endures forever;12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,for his steadfast love endures forever;13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,for his steadfast love endures forever;14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,for his steadfast love endures forever;15 but overthrew [1] Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,for his steadfast love endures forever;16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,for his steadfast love endures forever; 17 to him who struck down great kings,for his steadfast love endures forever;18 and killed mighty kings,for his steadfast love endures forever;19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,for his steadfast love endures forever;20 and Og, king of Bashan,for his steadfast love endures forever;21 and gave their land as a heritage,for his steadfast love endures forever;22 a heritage to Israel his servant,for his steadfast love endures forever. 23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,for his steadfast love endures forever;24 and rescued us from our foes,for his steadfast love endures forever;25 he who gives food to all flesh,for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 145:4-9
4 One generation shall commend your works to another,and shall declare your mighty acts.5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,and I will declare your greatness.7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodnessand shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9 The Lord is good to all,and his mercy is over all that he has made.

3. God Has A Purpose for Suffering: I dont always see the purpose for my suffering. If it is up to me, I am very sure that there is no reason why I had to suffered the things I did. Again, with a better understanding of God's Word, I understand the neccesity of suffering. So now, I am better equipped with a right attitude when I face trials and tribulations. That does not mean I like it. :) Here are some verses to think about.

Romans 8:17
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

2 Corinthians 1:3-6
God of All Comfort
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. [1] 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

Philippians 2:5-9
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [2] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, [3] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

James 1:2-8
Testing of Your Faith
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, [4] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 5:10-11
10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Read entire 1 Peter



4. We suffer because we live in a fallen world.
We suffer because of our flesh.
We suffer because of God's purpose.
We suffer because others sin against us.

5. God's soveriegnty over suffering never:
-- means suffering is never real
-- excuses the evildoer.

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