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.)