BE STEADFAST… EVEN IN SUFFERING

BE STEADFAST… EVEN IN SUFFERING

As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. —James 5:10-11

            Suffering?  Our Lord is “compassionate and merciful.”  Wait on Him!  Trust Him!  Did Job ever know why He suffered?  We are not told that he was told or ever knew the answer to his “why?”  The prophets and Job remain steadfast when under trials.  Oh, that does not mean that they did not have their moments of doubt, fear or sadness or complaining, but through it all they continued to follow the Lord.

            When we seek to be living godly in Christ Jesus we will suffer persecution of some form— “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (II Timothy 3:12-13).  That is the world that we live in… a sinful, fallen world— a world in rebellion against our Lord God Almighty.  But it will not last forever…

            In Job’s situation we “have seen the purpose of the Lord.”  Job was not suffering for doing evil or for doing something wrong.  No, it was quite the opposite.  Job was suffering for seeking to live a godly life.  Satan’s attacks on Job’s livelihood, his family, his healthy and even through his friends and wife were meant to break Job and seek to have him blame God and curse God.  But Job was steadfast through it all.  Not that he was perfect in it all or that he did not have questions and false assumptions, but he did not curse God as Satan’s evil schemes intended for him to do.

            So, whether it was Job or the prophets in their suffering, those who remained steadfast are considered blessed.  Let us consider their examples and let us also remain steadfast when going through suffering— we will be blessed.  We know, as Job did, that we shall see our Redeemer (Job 19:26-27; 33:28).  A time is coming when we shall see Jesus and then from that time forevermore we shall be with Him and all who love Him.  Even so come Lord Jesus!

Dear Father please help me to remain steadfast whatever comes my way.  May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son— my Lord Jesus.  So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsQmsEE_2-s