Suffering
1. WHO CAUSES SUFFERING?—GOD OR THE DEVIL?
A. The Devil causes much of humanity’s suffering:
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 Him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders … that they all might be damned
1 Peter 5:8–9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Revelation 12:12 Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath
(See also Matthew 15:22; Luke 8:29; Acts 10:38; 2 Timothy 2:26.)
B. But it is God who allows the Devil to bring suffering:
Job 1:8–19 [God allowed Satan to bring Job to ruin with fire, raiding bandits, and a violent storm]
Job 2:3–7 [God allowed the Devil to afflict Job with boils]
(See also 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20.)
C. God is ultimately responsible for allowing suffering:
Exodus 4:11 Who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or blind? Have not I?
1 Samuel 2:6–7 The Lord killeth, maketh alive, maketh poor … rich
Isaiah 45:7 I make peace, and create evil; I the Lord do all these
Amos 3:6 Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?
(See also Deuteronomy 32:39; 2 Chronicles 15:2,5–6; Job 12:14–25; Psalm 66:10–12; Micah 1:12.)
2. WHY DOES GOD ALLOW THE RIGHTEOUS TO SUFFER?
A. He has a loving reason for everything He does:
Genesis 45:4–8 Be not grieved … that ye sold me [as a slave]: for God did send me before you to preserve life
Genesis 50:20 Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good
Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes
Jeremiah 37:15–16; 38:28 [Jeremiah spent a long time in prison, but was safe there when Jerusalem was destroyed] (See also Jeremiah 39:11–14.)
Jonah 2:1–7 [Jonah suffered in the fish’s belly but it saved him from drowning and took him to land] (See also Jonah 1:15,17; 2:10.)
Romans 8:28 All things work together for good to … the called
B. Suffering is often God’s loving chastisement:
Proverbs 3:11–12 Whom the Lord loveth he correcteth
Hebrews 12:5–12 Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten
(See also Deuteronomy 8:5; Job 5:17; 1 Corinthians 11:32.)
C. God’s chastisements are righteous:
Nehemiah 9:33 Thou art just in all that is brought upon us
Psalm 119:75 I know that thy judgements are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me
Psalm 19:9 The judgements of the Lord are true and righteous
Proverbs 26:2 The curse causeless shall not come
Jeremiah 17:10 I the Lord search the heart … to give every man … according to the fruit of his doings
(See also Ezekiel 14:22–23; Hebrews 12:11.)
D. Our suffering is less than we deserve:
Ezra 9:13 God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve
Psalm 78:38–39 Full of compassion … many a time turned he his anger
Psalm 103:10,14 He hath not dealt with us after our sins
E. Continue to trust Him, even though you don’t understand:
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in Lord … lean not unto thine own understanding
Isaiah 55:8–9 Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord
3. SOME SPECIFIC REASONS THAT GOD ALLOWS SUFFERING:
A. Suffering has been a fact of life since the fall of man:
Genesis 3:16–19 [Suffering brought into the world by the fall of man]
Job 5:6–7 Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward
(See also Job 14:1; Psalm 90:10.)
B. We often bring on suffering by our sins:
Genesis 42:21 We are guilty … therefore is distress come upon us
Job 4:8 They that plow iniquity and sow wickedness reap the same
Psalm 31:9–10 I am in trouble … grief … because of mine iniquity
Psalm 38:1–8 There is no soundness in my flesh … because of my sin
Psalm 107:17 Fools … because of their iniquities, are afflicted
Isaiah 66:4 [Ignoring God and doing evil brings on mental anguish, fears and delusions]
Jeremiah 5:25 Your sins have withholden good things from you
(See also Jeremiah 30:15; Lamentations 1:20.)
C. We sometimes suffer due to disregarding God’s Word:
Deuteronomy 11:28 A curse, if ye will not obey the commandments
Psalm 78:32–33 They believed not … their years he consumed in trouble
Psalm 89:30–32 If [they] forsake my law … visit transgression with rod
(See also Psalm 107:11–12.)
4. SUFFERING BECAUSE OF OBEDIENCE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS:
A. Sufferings and privations while serving God:
Acts 20:19 Serving the Lord with many tears and temptations
1 Corinthians 4:11 We hunger, thirst, are naked, buffeted
2 Corinthians 1:8 [Paul’s] trouble … pressed out of measure, above strength, despaired even of life
2 Corinthians 11:23–30 [Paul’s many sufferings and troubles]
Philippians 2:27,30 Sick nigh unto death, to supply your lack of service
(See also 2 Corinthians 6:4–10.)
B. Suffering caused by persecution:
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given … not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake
2 Timothy 3:12 All that live godly in Jesus shall suffer persecution
2 Timothy 1:8 Be not ashamed, but partaker of afflictions of gospel
Hebrews 11:25 Choosing to suffer affliction with the people of God
Hebrews 11:35–38 [Saints tortured, cruelly mocked, scourged, imprisoned, slain, destitute, afflicted, tormented]
(See also Romans 8:35–37; 1 Peter 2:19–21; 3:16–17; Revelation 2:10.)
5. THE BENEFITS AND GOOD FRUITS OF SUFFERING:
A. Suffering causes us to depend on God’s Word:
Deuteronomy 8:2–3 That he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by [the] word
Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law
Psalm 119:71 I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes
B. Suffering refines and purifies:
Job 23:10 When he hath tired me, I shall come forth as gold
Psalm 66:10 Thou, O God, hast proved us … tried us, as silver
Isaiah 48:10 I have refined thee … in the furnace of affliction
Zechariah 13:9 And I will … refine them as silver is refined
Hebrews 12:9–11 Chastened … that we be partakers of his holiness
(See also Proverbs 17:3; Isaiah 1:25.)
C. It teaches us obedience:
Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word
Hebrews 5:8 Yet learned he obedience by things which he suffered
(See also 2 Corinthians 7:10–11)
D. It causes us to bring forth more good fruit:
John 15:2 He [prunes] it, that it may bring forth more fruit
E. It humbles us:
Deuteronomy 8:2,16 The Lord led thee in the wilderness, to humble thee
2 Chronicles 33:12 When he was in affliction, he humbled himself greatly
Lamentations 3:1,17–20 Remembering mine affliction … my soul … is humbled
F. It teaches us patience:
Romans 5:3 Tribulation worketh patience
G. It makes us wiser:
Ecclesiastes 7:2–3 Sorrow is better … the living will lay it to heart
H. It gives us compassion and mercy on others:
2 Corinthians 1:4 That we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we are comforted
Hebrews 2:17–18 He himself hath suffered … he is able to succor them
Hebrews 4:15 Be touched with the feeling of [others’] infirmities
I. It draws us close to, and makes us appreciate, our loved ones:
2 Corinthians 7:4–7 We were troubled on every side … nevertheless, God … comforted us by the coming of Titus
6. REWARDS IN HEAVEN FOR EARTHLY SUFFERING:
Luke 16:19–25 [Lazarus the beggar rewarded and comforted]
Romans 8:18 Sufferings of present time not worthy to be compared
2 Corinthians 1:7 As ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation
2 Corinthians 4:17 Our light affliction … worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him
Revelation 21:4 Shall be no more death … sorrow … crying … pain
7. REMEMBER, JESUS ALSO SUFFERED:
Hebrews 4:15 [He] was in all points tempted [tested] like as we are
Hebrews 12:3 Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners … lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds
A. The reasons for Jesus’ suffering:
Isaiah 53:4–5 He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows … He was wounded for our transgressions … and with his stripes we are healed (See also 1 Peter 2:24.)
Hebrews 2:9–10 Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings
1 Peter 2:21 Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example
1 Peter 4:1 As Christ hath suffered for us, arm yourselves
8. THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARD SUFFERING:
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ
A. Endure suffering patiently:
Jeremiah 10:19 Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it
Lamentations 3:24–26 Lord is my portion … hope and quietly wait in him
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation
2 Timothy 4:5 Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions
Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure … God dealeth with you as with sons
1 Peter 4:19 Let them that suffer … commit the keeping of their souls to him [God] in well doing
B. Pray for strength to endure suffering:
Luke 18:1 Men ought always to pray, and not to faint
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray
C. Expect afflictions and trials:
Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous
Acts 14:22 Must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom
1 Thessalonians 3:3–4 No man should be moved by these afflictions: for … we are appointed thereunto
1 Peter 4:12 Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial
(See also 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 5:9.)
D. Stand strong, endure hardness:
Acts 20:23–24 None of these things move me … that I might finish
2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier
Hebrews 11:25–27 Choosing rather to suffer affliction … he endured
James 5:10–11 Take the prophets, for an example of suffering affliction … we count them happy which endure
E. Be happy despite suffering:
John 16:33 Ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer
Romans 5:3 We glory in tribulations … worketh patience
2 Corinthians 7:4 I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation
1 Peter 4:13,16 Rejoice … ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings
F. Don’t murmur against God:
Job 1:20–22 Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly (See also 2:9–10.)
Psalm 17:3 I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God
G. Remain faithful:
Psalm 119:143 Trouble and anguish … yet thy commandments my delights
9. WRONG ATTITUDES TOWARD SUFFERING:
Exodus 6:9 [Despair:] They [Israelites] hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage
Ruth 1:20–21 [Complaint:] for Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me
Job 2:7–9 [Bitterness:] Then said [Job’s wife], Curse God, and die
Proverbs 24:10 [Giving up:] If thou faint in the day of adversity
Jeremiah 15:18 [Questioning:] Wilt thou be unto me as a liar?
(See also Proverbs 18:14; Lamentations 3:39.)
10. GOD COMFORTS AND STRENGTHENS US WHEN WE SUFFER:
Exodus 3:7 I have seen the affliction of my people … heard their cry … I know their sorrows
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn … they shall be comforted
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you
Romans 8:26 The Spirit helpeth our infirmities
1 Peter 5:10 But God … after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you
(See also Psalm 23:4; 37:24; 145:14.)
11. DELIVERANCE FROM SUFFERING:
A. God promises to deliver us from our suffering:
Psalm 30:5 Weeping may endure a night, joy cometh in the morning
Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions … but the Lord delivereth
Psalm 103:9–14 He will not always chide … he knoweth our frame
Isaiah 54:7–8 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but … mercy
Lamentations 3:31–32 Lord will not cast off for ever: though he cause grief
(See also Exodus 3:7,9–10; Deuteronomy 26:6–8; Psalm 66:11–12; 94:12–14; 107:11–14; 118:17–18.)
B. Pray for deliverance:
Psalm 34:6 Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles
Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry, and the Lord … delivereth them out
Psalm 50:15 Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee
(See also specific examples in Ezra 9:5–15; Isaiah 38:1–3.)
C. God’s conditions:
2 Chronicles 6:27–30 [Release from suffering if men repent and seek God]
2 Chronicles 7:13–14 If my people … shall humble themselves, and pray, and turn from wicked ways; I will hear … forgive … heal
Job 33:27–29 If any say, “I have sinned” … He will deliver his soul
Job 36:8–11 If they obey and serve him, they shall [have] prosperity
Jonah 2:1–10 [Jonah praised God in his trouble, and was delivered]
12. OUR DUTY TOWARD THE SUFFERING AND AFFLICTED:
Job 6:14 To him that is afflicted pity should be showed
Job 16:5 I would strengthen you … assuage your grief
Isaiah 50:4 Speak a word in season to him that is weary
Luke 10:30–37 [The Good Samaritan] Go, and do thou likewise
Romans 12:15 Weep with them that weep
1 Corinthians 12:25–26 Whether one member suffer, all … suffer with it
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens
Hebrews 13:3 Remember them which suffer adversity
James 1:27 Visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction
(See also Job 19:21; Matthew 25:34–45; 1 Timothy 5:10.)
13. THE SUFFERING OF THE WICKED:
Deuteronomy 28:20 The Lord shall send upon thee cursing … because of the wickedness of thy doings
Deuteronomy 28:15–67 If thou wilt not hearken … these curses shall come …
Job 15:20 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days
Psalm 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked
Isaiah 42:24–25 Neither were they obedient unto his law. Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger
Isaiah 57:20–21 Wicked are like troubled sea … no peace to the wicked
Hebrews 2:15 Who through fear of death were … subject to bondage
1 John 4:18 Fear hath torment
(See also Job 20:all; Ecclesiastes 2:22–23; Lamentations 3:42–47.)
14. MUCH SUFFERING IS ACTUALLY SELF-INFLICTED:
A. Drug abuse, alcoholism, etc.:
1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile [his body], him shall God destroy
Proverbs 23:29–35 [Alcoholism brings on woe, sorrow, wounds]
(See also Proverbs 23:21; 31:4–5; Isaiah 5:11; 28:7.)
B. Overeating:
Numbers 11:19–20, 31–34 [Hebrews gluttonously overate quails and as a result, “the fattest of them” died] (See also Psalm 78:26–31.)
Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly
(See also Proverbs 23:1–3,21.)
C. Overdoing physically:
Ecclesiastes 12:12 Much study is a weariness of the flesh
Philippians 2:2,30 He was [sick] nigh unto death, not regarding his life
D. Pollution by pesticides, chemicals, etc.:
Isaiah 24:5 The earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof
Jeremiah 2:7 Ye defiled my land, and made [it] an abomination
Amos 7:17 Thou shalt die in a polluted land
Micah 2:10 Because it is polluted, it shall destroy you
Zephaniah 3:1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city
Romans 1:30,32 Inventors of evil things … worthy of death
Revelation 11:18 [God will] destroy them which destroy the earth
(See also Genesis 4:8,16–17; Isaiah 5:8; 14:21, on unnatural cities and industrialisation.)
E. Greed and oppression cause wars, suffering, and misery:
Joshua 7:1–26 [Achan’s covetousness caused many Israelites to die]
Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house
Nahum 3:1 Woe to the bloody city! It is full of lies and robbery
1 Timothy 6:9–10 They that will be rich … drown in destruction … sorrows
James 4:1–2 From whence come wars? … even of your lusts … ye kill
James 5:1–6 Rich men … ye have condemned and killed the just
(See also Psalm 73:3–20; Micah 6:12–15.)
15. SUFFERING CAN BRING SOME TO GOD:
Deuteronomy 31:7 Many evils and troubles shall befall them [to make them realise they’ve forsaken God]
2 Chronicles 15:4 When they in their trouble … sought him: and returned
2 Chronicles 33:9–13 [Manasseh’s suffering in prison turned him to God]
Job 34:31–32 I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more
Psalm 78:34 When he slew them, then they sought him: and returned
Isaiah 26:16 Poured out prayer when thy chastening was upon them
Jeremiah 2:27 They have turned the back … but in the time of trouble
Daniel 4:30–37 [King Nebuchadnezzar’s abasement and salvation]
Luke 15:16–20 [Suffering caused the Prodigal Son to repent]
Revelation 11:13 Earthquake [killed] 7,000 … remnant gave glory to God
(See also Hosea 2:6–7.)