Scripture to Read: Psalm 13:2
God is so gracious toward us as His children, and we see the graciousness of God as He allowed David to ask Him more questions as David was spiritually hurting. God allowed David to ask in Psalm 13:2, “How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?” David asked God how long his soul would suffer the sorrow he felt every day. Again, we’re not sure why David was going through the suffering he was facing; all we know is that he suffered. Each of us has gone through, or will face, suffering of some kind. Suffering comes to everyone because we live in a fallen world. God reminds us in James 1:2–4, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” We are to count it joy in the midst of our suffering. Suffering is never wasted, for God uses our suffering to strengthen our faith in Him and produce a stronger endurance in each of us. Also, God uses suffering to perfect us so that we lack nothing through Him. None of us looks forward to suffering, and we’d probably never ask God for suffering, but knowing it comes to all, we must be prepared for it. Knowing God’s Truth and being willing to walk in it will sustain us through the suffering.
Challenge & Application
· Why must we go through suffering in this life?
· How has your faith in God and His Word been strengthened through the suffering you have faced so far?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!