Lamentations 3:31-33
For the Lord will not
cast off forever,
but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion
according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
for he does not afflict from his heart
or grieve the children of men.
Often, when contemplating our misfortunes, we are faced with the idea that God is actually allowing us to suffer. This makes sense. I remember reading a quote that was attributed to Martin Luther, that went something like this, “The law is our daily and familiar companion.” That means that we are often aware of our faults and live our lives expecting God’s wrath. Therefore, when we think about it, we kind of expect God will send trouble our way. We know we deserve it.
This is proper, for we truly are sinners. In fact, those who have no sense of guilt or deserving God’s wrath “deceive themselves” as the scriptures describe it. Also, some of the most relationally troubled persons think that everyone else is the problem and they alone are right. So, what about our misfortune? What about our suffering? Is God just tormenting us?
You know the answer is no. But, it is important not to base our understanding on a false sense of our own righteousness. We do often cause our own misery and we must admit to that. The point is, however, that this isn’t where God’s heart is. The scriptures show us that God is not filled with hatred for us and does not “afflict from the heart.” Rather, God’s desire is that we repent and turn to Him with all our hearts, and be saved!
For this very reason God sent His Son, our Lord Jesus, to bear our sins upon the cross. Rather than leave us in an eternally hopeless condition apart from Him, in Jesus’ victory over death and grave God gives us a solution to all our suffering, worries and pain. He gives us the resurrection from the dead and the life everlasting.
As difficult as times of misfortune are for us to bear, God is gracious. Our times of trial will end because God’s heart isn’t to afflict us. God is love. In the mean time, God calls us to repent of our sin, believe in Jesus, and turn to Him. In Jesus, God’s greatest gift is eternal life.
Let us pray,
I thank you Lord for your great love for me. Help me during the most difficult times to remember your steadfast love. If I am struggling with guilt, remind me of my Savior Jesus, His forgiveness of all my sins, and my eternal life in Him. I thank you for your mercy towards me and ask for faith to sustain me in all trials. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.