We don't look at the suffering of Paul as evidence of rejection or neglect from God, and yet it is so easy to fall into self pity and believing that God does not care for us when we do not find immediate relief and deliverance from such things ourselves. The life of Paul is a great example to us, a reminder, that hardship and suffering is not always a sign or being outside the will of God, that its never proof of His lack of power to help us or care, and even when the enemies of God and life seem to be victorious in our circumstances that life is no longer good. Life is still worth living and much good can come, even when circumstances are hard and do not immediately, or possibly ever, get better. Paul learned that God's grace is sufficient when difficulties remain, and thankfully, he shared that experience, strength and hope with us.
Paul was attacked, beaten and jailed multiple times, and we have the accounts of some of these. The first time Paul was jailed it's easy to think that he found immediate deliverance, because the account is told in a quick four verses in Acts 16. But we would most likely not thought it such quick relief had we been in his shoes. The people grabbed him and turned him over to the authorities. He was not set free or spared this or the severe beating (many stripes) that followed. Then thrown in the jail, it was hours before deliverance came. At midnight the miracle came suddenly. That's why it seems quick to us. When the miracle came, it was suddenly. But he had already been beaten and imprisoned for up to most of a day.
Later he is jailed again. By this time he has written more letters that will become part of our New Testament scripture, made multiple missionary journeys, founded many churches and led many to the truth of relationship with Jesus. You would think that he would be more quickly helped, if help from God is earned and deserved anyway or if it is always situational rather than spiritual. Yet this time he spent years in prison before finally being released. Good came of it. He actually was protected from such things as angry mobs and stonings, and he wrote more letters that allowed him to be of spiritual help and service to many more than he could have if he had been freed. You and I are still benefiting from his service today. But still, his circumstances sucked and were hard. He lived in prison for years, even though he had not done anything to deserve such treatment. God didn't quickly free him or spare him the hardship, yet it was not lack of love, care or concern on the part of Daddy.
The last time Paul is imprisoned he remained so until he is beheaded. That's right. He is killed, and God allowed it. Paul opened his eyes in the presence of Jesus, and his suffering and distress had finally come to an end. He had been delivered from the suffering, but it would be easy to look at it and say he had not been helped, his body had been killed after all. But Paul lived and died secure in the confidence that he was loved by God and that God gave him the love, power and desire to endure the hardships as much as to be spared them and that what he went through served a purpose of bringing him closer to God, bringing others into relationship and closer to God and to demonstrate God's purpose, way of life, power, love and glory. And he was right. We see those things in his life, despite what he went through and perhaps even because of it.
Today as we go through what may feel like difficulty, hardship and or suffering, let us be quick to hold fast to the truth that God loves us and cares for us and will meet our needs, regardless of what our senses and emotions may tell us, regardless of whether or not our circumstances change or how quickly or slowly. Let us not demand the quick fix and the instant relief. Let us instead turn to the Spirit for our comfort and rest in His love for us, so that our hardship and suffering may serve a good purpose in our life and the lives of others. Let us share in Paul's legacy of suffering well when it comes, knowing that this realm is not the end or the purpose of our life and that our life, joy and peace are found in relationship with Jesus and not in comfort and ease in our circumstances.
This site is free. If this blessed, helped and or informed you, the best thing you can do is pass it on via the social buttons below. And please subscribe or follow Unshackled Life Ministries on Facebook.
Unshackled Life Ministries is grateful for every person that reads the daily Unshackled Moments, the weekly Unshackled Echo and or listens to the Audio Messages. I want to thank those who have clicked "like" on something that blessed or ministered to them on social media, commented on the blog or replied to an email subscription. It is encouraging to know that God is using this ministry to help and bless others. Please remember that if God used something from this ministry to help, encourage or bless you, it could also bless someone else. Would you help get the devotions and sermons to more people by sharing this? Hitting the share button or forwarding this to a friend will help us reach more people with the good news of freedom and the encouragement to live an Unshackled Life. Thank you and God bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment