Comments on: Why Do the Righteous Suffer?

By: Clare Watts

Clare Watts — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 13:30:00 +0000

Ah, how I needed that precious reminder today, my dear brother! The refiner’s fire…. Those words of comfort came straight from the Father’s heart for me today. Having just read (again!) the story of Brother Yun, “The Heavenly Man” and wondered whether we here in America, – myself included, would stand the persecution and hatred of the world and our vile enemy pitted against us, and the Lord is showing me just such a small part of what we must expect if we are to set our faces like flint towards the mark of the high calling. We cannot avoid the attacks of Satan, and if we are to be partakers of His glory, we MUST BE PREPARED to be partakers of His suffering. It DOES and WILL become VERY personal. Thank you for those PRECIOUS words of encouragement – today. The path IS difficult – but the “mark” is in sight. Glory! God bless you, Chip.

By: Sandrine

Sandrine — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 23:52:31 +0000

Thanks again for this response Chip,

It is true that even if the situations for several people seem identical, the causes are not necessarily the same, nor the solutions.
Often I look too much at what still remains to be done and what has not been done in the past and seeks to know the why and the how of things. That can really discourage me.

And yes… on the way myself and other unquestionably have come to false conclusions… such as suffering because of our ignorance, or the refusal of others to help us when God would have wanted it… and we come to think sometimes actually that all this is too cruel and unjust…

Yes, I try to remain focused on Christ… but your words make me think that I also try to resolve, to overcome certain things (with the help of God)… for me and my relations, without results. Also perhaps I should abandon the search to train others in my suite … for now… and just… follow my way with God, just remaining me focused on Him… ( I have some difficulty expressing my intention).

Thank you again Chip, I keep thinking about your words and what I have to do and think differently… (to be less… scattered)…
And besides, today I was better and my morale went up. ?

By: Chip Brogden

Chip Brogden — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 11:50:38 +0000

In reply to Sandrine. I think many do miss the lesson in their suffering, and that could prolong it. But I do not assume that all people suffer because of ignorance, that would be cruel. Sometimes we can work so hard to overcome something that it actually becomes bigger. This is why I encourage you to focus on Christ and let Him fill every part of your mind, heart and life.

By: Sandrine

Sandrine — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 03:39:39 +0000

Yes…
A lot of reflection on what Job has lived…
but unlike him bad things last more than a few months in some of our lives… they last for years without being able to see End, or really see God in the end.
So what do we think? That for most of us we are just missing the tests without understanding the story? (about our Life)

By: thea

thea — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 22:06:02 +0000

In reply to Chip Brogden.

What a timely word for 2015. I just watch the movie “The Hiding Place” about Corrie Ten Boon and family. A righteous family that suffered greatly at the hands of the Nazi’s. We in the USA have not had to suffer like this for our faith like so many of our brothers and sisters in other places.Not yet! I believe that when the righteous suffer and continue to stand in faith in the demonstration of the victory of the cross, that there is great victory over the power of darkness. As was seen in Job.
Thank you for being faithful to preach the Cross. “There is no pit do deep that God is not deeper still Bessie Ten Boon

In Him,
Thea

By: Timothy Baugh

Timothy Baugh — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:52:50 +0000

To those who would care to follow up with their own comments, The parallel significance of Job’s trials and sufferings has it’s relation to those temptations and struggles, which every believer is called to undergo in the progress of his or her Spiritual regeneration, with a view, and for the blessed purpose, of subduing in him or herself the power of darkness, called Satan the devil, the world and it’s attachments, and the flesh. This testing or trial is said to come from God. Therefore, it may be established as a sure conclusion, that under every state of temptation-struggle, in which we gain the victory, we acquire a new name, or in other words, a new quality. What is this “new quality” which we derive from victory in spiritual struggles? Let the experience of every devout Christian Overcomer answer this question for themselves. For prior to this victory, do not principles of Self Will in the understanding exalt themselves, and gain the control, over principles of love for the Lord and the surrender of our wills? Is not faith made of more importance than our love? The knowledge of what is good, right, and true than obedience? and the brightness and glory of an “intellectual truth”, than the simplicity and purity of random acts of kindness? Oftentimes : “Pride comes before a downfall, and a haughty spirit before destruction”. Testing and trial, however it comes, is for a purpose. And the “good” of it is never seen, except in retrospect. May the Lord teach us through all our Life Lessons not to complain, but to humbly wait for the eventual victory.

By: Nance

Nance — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 18:53:32 +0000

Thank you, Chip!

By: Clare Watts

Clare Watts — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 15:50:11 +0000

In reply to Paula.harries.

Oh, Paula, what a wonderful testimony, and how true your words. How can we become strong when we run from hardship, difficulties, trials and testings? We can’t. It is character-building, faith building, trust building…..and most of all it is shining a light to those all around us to see the glory of Christ abiding in us. Paul said in 2 Cor. 2:9 “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”….and it is looking forward with hope embedded and savored in our hearts to our eternal home in glory with Him that fills us with joy unspeakable even when things here are hard and difficult to bear. I love that Jesus was WITH the 3 lads in the fiery furnace, and He is ALWAYS with those who trust Him, in THEIR fiery furnaces, no matter how hot it is. All we are asked to do is trust and obey, for there is no other way. Peace CAN come in the midst of the most violent storms when Jesus is in our boat WITH us!

By: Paula.harries

Paula.harries — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 06:48:23 +0000

Having suffered adelitating illness for the past 30yrs, as well as other many trials,I can’t say I have found it easy to come to the place I am now. Wrong teaching led me to expect a different life. God has been patient,and I feel him at work in and through the difficulties, changing me,teaching me so many things that had I not suffered I would not have learned.there are still tears at times but alongside them s wonderful and growing knowledge of who He is….I have glimpsed something of His greatness, and what a priveledge it is.jesus endured the cross…why?…for the joy set before Him. In accepting our lives embracing what comes, we are in line to receive all the benefits and rewards this brings….not easy, but oh so precious.Thankyou Chip for correcting wrong teaching and for keeping us on track with these devotionals.

By: sherry

sherry — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 00:21:28 +0000

YES, YES, YES!, How true it is for us as it was for Job.
I cannot imagine Jobs suffering and still trust and believe God is for us. This is something we need to measure within ourselves. “Who are we of?” When I speak to people about Christ, in an evangelistic way,
This is one thing I mention. For those that have faith to believe and trust in Christ, who He is and what He came to do, God will give eye’s to see Jesus.
The veil starts to be removed and there is power that’s beyond understanding that allows us to see Jesus. To this day I sense this power within me that I cannot explain, It’s a power greater than myself, and a power that charges my soul. I have by no means suffered as Job, But the Lord has removed the veil from my eye’s and now I see. This Light is a power that I myself cannot turn out, nor would I want to, because He the Light fills my soul to overflowing. Praise His Holy Name!!!!!