A. Prospect of Suffering (v 12-13)

• Trials and testings are given by God to try or test us for the purpose that we may glorify Him in our suffering, and we are to be prepared for it.
• In Mark 8:31-34, we see that Peter tried to rebuke the Lord for going to the cross. Peter’s view of suffering was defective/deficient, to say the least as in many of us as well, rejecting suffering in our lives.
• In Lam 3:24-27, 32-33, Jeremiah says, “The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”
• God’s punishment of the Israelites for their idolatry with 70 years of exile has a purpose and it transformed them God has His sovereign purpose for all things
• We also note the lesson and deliverance of suffering from Psalm 34:4,19, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”
• While many are hoping to escape suffering in the end times but we note what Luke said in Acts 14:22, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

B. Possible Reasons for Suffering (v 14-16)

• Note that we may have to suffer for the glory of God as He wills as in the man born blind in John 9:1-4.
• Isa 40:8 says, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
• As a Christian be prepared as you may be reproached for your stand or beliefs for the name of Christ in your profession of faith.
• There are 2 parts here: one is secular as we live in a fallen world and another is spiritual.
• Secular – the reproach will continue for this is a sinful world that opposes God
• Spiritual - on your part when you suffer for the Lord, be glad with exceeding joy for God is glorified.
• We need to do what is right, not what is liked as we seek to please God and not men.
• The more we come closer to the end times, the more difficult it will be to live our lives as a Christian in a very hostile world.
• But let not our suffering be for the wrong reasons because of our own evil
• Paul reminded us in 2 Timothy 3:12 - “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
• Let us be reminded that those who live godly lives will face suffering first and then the unbelievers too.

C. Patience & Preservation of Sufferers (v 17-18)

• Here in James 5:10-11, we are reminded of the prospect of suffering one day for the Lord as James speak of its possibility for believers.
• There is a grave need to build up endurance in believers as God allows pain and suffering that we may be moulded and strengthened in our lives and character.
• Patience (“as patient as Job”) is needed for all as we run a long
• We need to cultivate the ability to wait and not murmur as we seek the Lord
• Endurance is the ability to stand up to pain and stress over a period of
• Note that the suffering in this life will only be for a season and it will be over - Romans 8:18. Let us take heart and have hope and live with joy and
• Note the order: the people in house of God will come before God first in 2 Corinthians 5:10 (judgement of the believers) followed by the great white throne judgement (the unbelievers) in Revelation 20:11,12.
• We are assured of the preservation of the saints by God, but only if you are a believer and have trusted in the Lord Jesus.

Remember that Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den for his uncompromising stand and Joseph suffered in prison unjustly, but God vindicated him in the end.

John Huss of Bohemia who preached the truth of the gospel and he suffered unjustly and was executed in 1415. He was preserved in his soul though he was burnt at the stake at the Council of Constance and his prayer for a light not to be extinguished in a 100 years’ time was answered by the Lord.

William Tyndale of England who translated the Bible into English and was executed in 1536 for translating the Bible into English will be rewarded and is now in the presence of the Lord.

Conclusion

Let us examine ourselves and be faithful in our suffering and be humble and patient to wait upon the Lord and let God be our comfort and strength and look up to Him for the glory to be revealed one day.

By Rev Jack Sin (Summary of Pulpit Messages at Sovereign Hope BPC on 4 Sept 2022)

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