Suffering While in God's Will, Pt. 1

Oftentimes we think that when bad things come into our lives, we must have
done something wrong or stepped outside of God's will, but this is not true.

Suffering While in God's Will, Pt. 1

"He went a little farther, fell on His face, and prayed, saying, 'O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'"

(Matthew 26:39)

This week, I am discussing a subject I have discussed before in these daily devotions, but it is so important for followers of Christ to understand clearly. Oftentimes we think that when bad things come into our lives, we must have done something wrong or stepped outside of God's will. We reason that since these difficult days are upon us, we must somehow have missed God, and perhaps He is even disciplining us for our sins. I do believe in the discipline of God. He will chastise us as our Heavenly Father just as a good earthly father will discipline his children when they willfully disobey. But this is not what I am thinking about. I am focused more on when bad things happen to us even though we are precisely in the will of God. Is that possible? It is more than possible; it is a reality in the lives of the children of God.

There are many biblical texts that show us this reality. The first to come to my mind is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Matthew 26 tells us that Jesus prayed three times that this cup would pass from Him. He was in agony over the suffering awaiting Him on the cross. The suffering was much more than physical. He knew this meant that for the first and only time ever, He would be separate from His Father. Why the suffering? Did Jesus do something wrong so that God the Father allowed this to happen to His Son?

No. Jesus did nothing wrong. He was completely in the Father's will, doing precisely what He was commanded to do by the Heavenly Father. Matthew 17:5 states, "While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'" John 5:19-20 states, "Then Jesus answered and said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel."

God loves you. There are times in your life and mine where we must drink from the bitter cup of suffering. It is not because God is punishing us or we have displeased Him and now must suffer. No, not at all. God has a bigger and better plan. Let me encourage you to be patient, continue in faithfulness, and allow God to have His way and will in your life. He is creating a masterpiece and will use this current crisis as a means for His great glory and your good.

Because of Jesus' suffering on the cross, you and I as His followers have abundant and eternal life. God is good all the time. He has a wonderful plan and will bring about great good from your current crisis. Keep walking by faith and trusting God.