CAN PAIN SERVE ANY PURPOSE IN THIS WORLD?

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 5:1-12
KEY BIBLE VERSE: The LORD began to afflict the people of Ashdod and the nearby villages with a plague of tumors. When the people realized what was happening, they cried out, “We can’t keep the Ark of the God of Israel here any longer! He is against us! We will all be destroyed along with our god Dagon.” (1 Samuel 5:6-7)

SOMETIMES PAIN IS NECESSARY TO GET OUR ATTENTION

Although the Philistines had just witnessed a great victory by Israel’s God over their god, Dagon, they didn’t act upon that insight until they were afflicted with bubonic plague. Similarly, today many people don’t respond to biblical truth until they experience pain. Are you willing to listen to God for truth’s sake, or do you turn to him only when you are hurting?

BIBLE READING: Matthew 16:21-28
KEY BIBLE VERSE: If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. (Matthew 16:25)

SOMETIMES PAIN TESTS OUR COMMITMENT

The possibility of losing their life was very real for the disciples as well as for Jesus. Real discipleship implies real commitment-pledging our whole existence to his service. If we try to save our physical life from death, pain, or discomfort, we may risk losing eternal life. If we protect ourself from pain, we begin to die spiritually and emotionally. Our life turns inward, and we lose our intended purpose. When we give our life in service to Christ, however, we discover the real purpose of living.

BIBLE READING: Hebrews 12:1-13
KEY BIBLE VERSE: We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. (Hebrews 12:2)

PAIN IS OFTEN NECESSARY FOR GROWTH

When we face hardship and discouragement, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. But we’re not alone; there is help. Many have already made it through life, enduring far more difficult circumstances than we have experienced. Suffering is the training ground for Christian maturity. It develops our patience and makes our final victory sweet.

BIBLE READING: Matthew 8:14-17
KEY BIBLE VERSE: That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. All the spirits fled when he commanded them to leave; and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.” (Matthew 8:16-17)

THROUGH PAIN WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S POWER AND GRACE

Matthew repeatedly shows Jesus’ kingly nature. Through a single touch, Jesus healed (8:3, 15); when he spoke a single word, evil spirits fled his presence (8:16). Jesus has authority over all evil powers and all earthly disease. He also has power and authority to conquer sin. Sickness and evil are consequences of living in a fallen world. But in the future, when God removes all sin, there will be no more sickness, pain, or death. Jesus’ healing miracles were a taste of what the whole world will one day experience in God’s kingdom.

Please stay tuned for more.