Posts Tagged ‘ Pain ’
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35, ESV
Christ came for His Church. He commands we love His Church – each other – just as He does.
Sacrificially and even amidst pain.
And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
Matthew 2:12-13, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.
But God was not willing to leave us mired in our sin.
God came to us, born as an infant, weak, physically powerless, yet without sin.
But we know He did not stay weak and powerless.
Many people in this world are hostile to Christ, afraid of His power or not wanting to follow His commands, thinking they know better. This hostility is often directed at Christians
But we also know God watches out for His people.
Herod wanted to destroy Christ, and possibly he would have hurt the wise men and Mary and Joseph in the process. God sent an angel to warn them to flee.
We have been shown the truth of who Christ is through His Word, and this same Word warns us of those who put up the pretense of being followers but secretly seek to or inadvertently damage and destroy the truth of Christ.
And this can include questioning the need for Christ coming or claiming God is the bad guy.
We may face persecution and hatred, but we also know Jesus faced it first and it is all ultimately against Him. And He helps us in the midst of the persecution. (John 15:18-26)
May we seek the Lord who knows our pain and fear.
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Isaiah 40:1-2, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.
The pain those sins have caused have made this world and much of our lives dark and burdensome.
We have hurt ourselves and each other as we have ignored and run from God.
We have caused so much pain and grief to ourselves and each other as we acted selfishly and without regard for others.
We can prepare ourselves by beginning to look at our own wickedness and need for forgiveness.
We can prepare ourselves by seeking our Creator and Savior who is capable of removing our burdens and sins.
May we seek the Lord who offers His comfort, preparing ourselves by seeking His truth.
The people did not turn to him who struck them, nor inquire of the Lord of hosts.
Isaiah 9:13, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
We do horrible things to each other and against God.
We don’t like to believe that God punishes people, either. However, the Old Testament shows how often Israel disobeyed God, and God allowed and even sent disasters and armies to correct them and draw them back to Himself.
But we like to think we know better, so we refuse to go to Him or even blame Him for everything wrong in this life.
How could He allow such bad things to happen? How could a good God let evil happen to good people?
But He has told us that none of us are truly good, that we don’t seek our Maker.
He sends and allows because He has given us the choice to ignore, hate, and refuse Him.
Yes, God sends things that hurt but it to draw us in, and He also sends Himself to hold us.
May we seek the Lord who draws us in.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18, ESV
The faith we have in Christ – the Suffering Servant – gives us hope of eternal life while knowing this life will be hard.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19, ESV
We like to think we can handle all life throws at us, but often the world mistreats the people doing what is right. Thankfully, our God and Savior warned us, prepares us, and redeems us, giving us hope for eternal life with Him, finally free from pain and worry.
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11, ESV
It is not easy admitting we’re wrong or in need of correction, but God sends us through difficult times painful circumstances not to punish us so much as to purge disobedience and draw us closer to Himself.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
James 5:13, ESV
We can give thanks to God in everything, but we can also ask for healing and peace. Whether He grants that request in this life, we can praise Him that we know we await eternal life free from pain and suffering.
that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
1 Corinthians 12:25-27, ESV
We tend to be selfish, self-focuded. In Christ, the Holy Spirit helps us genuinely care for others, joining in weeping and pain as well as celebrating and laughing. All to the glory of God.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4, ESV
We have so many fears and pains in this world, but our hope is that one Glorious Day, our Lord will remove all the reasons for pain and fear, will comfort us continually, and heal us completely.
S
a simple man of God 