Do you rejoice over suffering?

Suffering isn’t fun. No one really wants to go through a tough time, but sometimes we need to.

When this passage from Jeremiah was written (it was in a letter from Jeremiah), the Israelites had lost the promised land and been sent into exile.

Not fun.

Then, in verse 10, God had just told the Israelites He wasn’t getting them out of exile any time soon. They would be in exile for 70 years. This would be hard.

Why were they in exile in the first place?

They had turned away from God and were worshiping false gods. That is worse than exile!

Any parent whose had to give some tough love to their child understands. You’d rather not have your child go through the pain, but you know that if they don’t their life will be much worse. A little pain now…sometimes a lot of pain now…is worth the result of their life being turned around.

Or think of an addict. You want to help them, but you know they are going to have to reach rock-bottom before they can really be helped.

God needed to get their attention and do so in a way that would last. God was working to turn the heart of Israel back to Him. The tough pill to swallow is that the exile was for their own good.

There is another famous Bible verse that God said right after telling the Israelites they would be in exile for 70 years:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Sometimes God lets us go through difficult times because we need to remember who He is and turn back to Him. This isn’t always why we go through suffering, but sometimes it is.

The wonderful news is that He promises He will hear us when we call out to Him. He is there the whole time working His plan for our welfare and for our future. That doesn’t mean He’ll end the suffering immediately, especially if we haven’t been changed, yet.

If you think that’s not fair, remember what Jesus went through in order to bring salvation to you. God knows suffering.

If you are going through a difficult time right now, call out to God. He will hear you. If life is pretty good right now, don’t forget the God who has blessed you and give Him thanks and praise…and Continue to turn to Him…He will hear you, too.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

You are wiser than I am. You are good. When things are going well, it can be easy to forget to come to You in prayer. Remind me. Help me to always remember You and turn to You. If I do start to drift, bring me back to You, even if that means I have to suffer some. Being Your child is more important to me than avoiding suffering. Thank You that You considered having me as Your child more important than the suffering You faced at the cross.

Amen

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.