Sunday, Yet Man Is Born to Trouble As Sparks Fly Upword (Job 5:7)

NO SURPRISE.  Sparks fly upward from a fire natually,  so human suffering is inevitable.  God told us so in Genesis 3:13-19)  so we should not be shocked at suffering.  Modern Western people are more traumatized by it than others.  We have too much faith in our technology and our democratic institutions, and we are conditioned by our secular, materialistic culture to seek most of our happiness in fragile things like looks,  wealth and pleasure.

It is wise, however, to be ready for suffering.  Often most of the painful emotions people experience during adversity are actually  the shock and surprise that they are suffering at all. Even many Christians believe won't let really bad things happen to them.  But Jesus himself disproves that. If God allowed a perfect man to suffer terribly for a greater, wonderful good, why should we think that might not happen to us?   "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal.....as something strange were happening to you." (1Peter 4:12)

How can we have fellowship with Jesus in our suffering?

PRAYER: Lord, as I read about your life in the gospels, I see you experencing pain and rejection on every page.  Yet somehow I assume that I deserve a better life than you!  My heart's foolishness is so deep when it comes to suffering.  Make me ready for it.  Amen.

----Timothy Keller,  God's Wisdom for Navigating Life,  page 76