In the name of Christ Jesus, dear Christian friends,

It is no secret that believers in Jesus suffer. They suffer the same illnesses as other people. Sometimes they suffer persecution. Sometimes their faith in Christ causes them problems with their own family members and friends. A worldly person could look at this and say, "What good is it to be a believer? They suffer just as much if not more than the rest of us." Of course, we know that heaven is waiting for us. But why does God let us suffer now? A worldly person cannot understand why God lets trouble and sorrow and pain to afflict his dear believers. But today God's Word teaches us that these sufferings can be beneficial, for...

1. UNDERSTAND THE LORD'S DISCIPLINE.

One word that appears often in this chapter is "discipline." Within that word, you can see the root of disciple. Discipline is often painful, but it is intended to teach a valuable lesson. When parents are raising their children, they often need to tell them "no." This might be why some children say "no" all the time, because that's what they hear. But there is often deep love involved when a parent says no. The child reaches for the electrical outlet, and Mom says "no" so the child won't be harmed. The child runs to the road, and Dad catches her and says "no" because he doesn't want her to be hit by a car. As children grow older, they don't always learn their lessons simply from a simple word or two. Sometimes, they need discipline, for their own good.

But children aren't the only ones who need discipline. Adults need it too. But who's going to do it? The police will do it when it comes to the laws of the land. But what about when it comes to your faith and life with God? What if you are drifting away from him? He might be the only person who knows what's going on. The Lord disciplines us in love. There are many examples of it. For now, let's just call it God's school of suffering.

In Bible Class, we learned how Jacob was disciplined in God's school of suffering. He had to walk with a limp. That was his reminder to trust God more and himself less. It was a loving reminder from God. Sometimes we need reminders too. When we are healthy and strong, we often act like we don't need God. But when our health falters, we realize how weak and frail we really are. An unexpected trip to the hospital can remind us of how much we need the Lord. The Lord has his own way of dropping little hints in our lives to remember him.

When people are busy and successful, and it comes to the Lord and his word, they seem to be saying, "don't bother me, I'm busy." But, when they have a serious setback, their message changes. They might say, "please pray for me." They might even listen when we try to tell them God's Word! If that happens, God's discipline really helped. You know, sometimes God has to put us flat on our backs so that we will finally look up. If we act like we have no time for God, God has his own way of letting us know that if it weren't for him, we would have no time at all! At any moment, he can say, "this day your life is demanded from you." And, yet God is so patient. Instead, he drops another little hint. It might be pain. It might be a set back. It might be a problem. It might be an impossible situation.

I have seen that in my own life again and again. Sometimes, I try to fix things myself, trying so hard to fix problems with my own ability. But then the Lord will put situations in my path that are just impossible. And then I remember. Oh, yeah. It's his work, his Word, his will, and his power that are important. I can't fix it. God has to do it in his own way, in his own time, by his own means. Somehow, some way, the Lord disciplines us. He drops little hints and reminders. Sometimes, they are painful. But, when he disciplines you...

2. REMEMBER THAT HE LOVES YOU!

It says, (6) "The Lord disciplines those he loves." When you suffer with pain and struggle with trouble, it doesn't mean that God hates you. He loves you. When the Lord disciplines you, it means that he loves you!

Maybe you've heard of the Greek word "AGAPE." This verb comes from the same root. This word describes how God loves us with a selfless, generous, giving love. We find the same word in John 3:16, where it says that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God loved us and the whole world so much that he gave his one and only Son to save us from sin. It is easy to see love in that. God loved us and saved us. It is not so easy to see that God is loves us when he disciplines us, but he does. Yet it is the very same God and the very same word for love!

God's love is not as shallow and simple as some might think. We think that we really understand the love of God in giving his Son. But do we really? That love meant punishing his Son on the cross for our sins! God the Father loved his Son yet gave him over to an agonizing, painful death to save us. This showed his love for us, because he did not want us to suffer for all eternity in hell. V He accepted the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the full payment for all of our sins. He raised him from death, declaring forgiveness in Jesus' name. And now, whoever believes in him shall not perish, but shall have eternal life.

In love, God chose us to be his own. In love, he brought us to faith. And now that we believe in him, he does not want to let us go! It is love that moves God to drop hints and reminders in our lives. These are loving reminders to not become too wrapped up in the things of this world. These are loving reminders to put him first in our lives. These are loving reminders to hear his Word, to pray to him, to worship him, to trust him.

But, make no mistake about it. These little reminders are often painful! Yet, in the midst of the pain, understand the purpose. God wants you with him in heaven for all eternity. He wants you there at all costs! And if that meant pain and death for Jesus, so be it. If that means pain and suffering for us, so be it. God loves you and he wants you in heaven, even if it means that you need painful reminders day after day for the rest of your life. He does not want you to forget him. He does not want you to throw salvation away and live a worldly life. He loves you too much to let you go. He won't do it. So he sends that discipline.

Consider the example of the apostle Paul. Three times the apostle prayed that the Lord would take away his thorn in the flesh. But God did not take it away. The Lord did not want Paul to become conceited because of his surpassingly great revelations. Paul was inspired to write more books of the Bible than anyone else. He was probably the greatest missionary the world would ever know. But he had this "thorn in the flesh" and the Lord would not take it away. Instead, the Lord said (2 Cor 12:9) "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." When Paul was weak in his body, his faith was strong. That thorn in the flesh was God's loving discipline for Paul. Now, do you think for a moment that God did not love the apostle Paul? He loved him dearly! But he didn't take that thorn in the flesh away. It was good for Paul to have it. It kept him humble.

Maybe the Lord has given you a similar "thorn in the flesh." Maybe you've been suffering with something for years and years. Remember that Bible verse: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." From time to time, even God's people get cancer. Cancer is terrible, a result of sin in the world. But cancer can work out for the good. People who didn't want to listen to God's Word too much become very attentive when they have cancer. An unbeliever won't have anything to do with God or church. He wants to be left alone. But all of a sudden, he has cancer. Suddenly he's willing to listen. Now that he listens, the Holy Spirit works faith, and he ends up in heaven. Cancer is awful, but God can make it work out for good. Believers may pay closer attention to God's Word, or perhaps they can reach out to their loved ones. We don't always know why God permits what he permits. But we do know that he makes everything work out for the good of those who love him.

No matter what happens, remember that the Lord loves you. Jesus loved you enough to come to this earth and live a perfect life for you, to resist all of Satan's temptations for you. He came to die on Calvary's cross for you, and received the full punishment for your sins, my sins, and the sins of the whole world. His resurrection assures us that our sins are forgiven. Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will have eternal life in heaven! As long as we end up there, does it really matter what happens here? God's ultimate goal for your life is that you end up in heaven. Sometimes, that means that he has to put us flat on our backs. Sometimes, he gives us opportunities to reach out to others who are suffering. The next time you are suffering, instead of complaining, remember this Bible verse: (6) "The Lord disciplines those he loves." Then think: "The Lord sure loves me!" And he does. Amen.