37 lines
4.5 KiB
HTML
37 lines
4.5 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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November 27
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<h1>The Suffering that Prepares Us for Grace</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>But may the <b>God</b> of <b>all grace</b>…<b>after you have suffered a while</b>, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe', 5, '10-10');">1 Peter 5:10</a>)</div>
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<p>In our previous meditation, we saw that <i>"the <b>God</b> of <b>all grace</b>"</i> wants to develop our lives spiritually. He wants to use His exceedingly abundant grace to <i>"<b>perfect</b>, <b>establish</b>, <b>strengthen</b>, and <b>settle</b>"</i> us. Now, we will examine the useful (though often undesired) <b>suffering that prepares us for</b> this work of <b>grace</b>.</p>
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<p>Yes, <b>suffering</b> is often the link between the work God wants to do in us and the abundant grace that He will use to effect the work: <i>"<b>after you have suffered a while</b>."</i> Even as the perfect, sinless man, the Son of God learned valuable lessons through suffering. <i>"Though <b>He</b> was a <b>Son</b>, yet He <b>learned obedience</b> by the things which He <b>suffered</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 5, '8-8');">Hebrews 5:8</a>). He experienced the agonies that may occur as we obey God while dwelling in a rebellious, sinful world. He is the full example of godliness, and we are called to follow Him. <i>"For to this you were called, because <b>Christ</b> also <b>suffered</b> for us, leaving us an <b>example</b>, that you should <b>follow</b> His steps"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe', 2, '21-21');">1 Peter 2:21</a>). If we are willing to walk the path of godliness, we will suffer as well. <i>"Yes, and <b>all</b> who desire to live <b>godly</b> in Christ Jesus <b>will suffer</b> persecution"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti', 3, '12-12');">2 Timothy 3:12</a>). Such trials and sufferings are normal and purposeful. <i>"Beloved, do <b>not</b> think it <b>strange</b> concerning the <b>fiery trial</b> which is to <b>try</b> you, as though some <b>strange</b> thing happened to you"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe', 4, '12-12');">1 Peter 4:12</a>). Painful trials seem strange, but they routinely come to test and exercise our faith.</p>
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<p>God gives grace to the <b>humble</b>. Trials and suffering humble our hearts and stir us to cry out to the Lord for His necessary grace. This direct link between suffering and grace can be seen in Paul's most persistent trial of suffering. <i>"Lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a <b>thorn</b> in the flesh was given to me…Concerning this thing I <b>pleaded</b> with the Lord three times that it might depart from me"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr', 12, '7-8');">2 Corinthians 12:7-8</a>). Paul's difficulty moved him to earnestly plead with the Lord for His intervention. The Lord responded by His grace. <i>"And He said to me, 'My <b>grace</b> is <b>sufficient</b> for you, for My <b>strength</b> is made <b>perfect</b> in <b>weakness</b>.' Therefore most gladly I will rather <b>boast</b> in my <b>infirmities</b>, that the <b>power</b> of <b>Christ</b> may <b>rest</b> upon me"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr', 12, '9-9');">2 Corinthians 12:9</a>). Paul did not receive the healing grace that he sought. However, he experienced the sustaining grace that God often chooses to impart in times of suffering. Through His grace, God changed Paul's heart, not his circumstances.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O God of all grace, make me willing to endure the suffering that is necessary to prepare my heart for the transforming work of Your grace. Also, during sufferings and trials, please remind me of the work You are doing, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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