GOD'S USE OF SUFFERING

Readings: Psalms 60 and 61 

Brethren, we have just heard read to us two Psalms from Book 2 of the 
song book of the Bible.  Psalm 60 teaches us that real help comes from 
Yahweh alone. When a situation seems out of control, we can trust Him to do mighty 
things. Psalm 61 continues that thought.  It is a prayer for security and 
assurance. Wherever we are, we can trust that God will be there to answer our 
cries for help.  Both Psalms were written by David when he faced trying 
circumstances; the former, an incident in Sam 8 when Israel was away at war with Syria 
in the north and Edom invaded Judah from the south; the latter refers to the 
situation in 2 Samuel, Chapters 15 through18 when David was forced to 
escape during the days of Absalom’s rebellion. One commentator suggests it referred 
to when he narrowly escaped one of Saul’s efforts to kill him while hiding in 
the wilderness.  It could speak to both situations.  Psalm 61 expresses 
David’s confidence in God’s promises even though he is isolated from his 
beloved city. Nothing is taken for granted.  Even though David has implicit trust in 
God, he still pleads earnestly for God’s deliverance.  David seemed always to 
be aware of the  reasons behind his suffering.  We find that the Psalms are full of 
his pleading for forgiveness.

David realizes that deliverance is beyond his ability to accomplish.  
Vs 2 of the latter Psalm says, “Lead me to a rock that is too high for me.”  
Only God could lift him to refuge and safety.  We read of David’s personal 
plight, but implicit within the Spirit’s message are spiritual truths which 
are good for all ages.  Many of these Psalms are clearly Messianic.

The Psalms are a wonderful mirror of the Pentatuch, the first five 
books of the Bible.  The Hebrew Bible divides the Psalms into five sections or 
books that parallel Genesis through Deuteronomy.  These books of Moses record 
the deliverance of the nation of Israel from the oppression they suffered 
in the land of Egypt under the Pharaohs  and also their experiences in the 
wilderness as they marched toward the Promised Land.  Likewise, the  five books of 
the Psalms reveal the way that can lead a person from the wicked land of mortality 
and death to salvation in the coming kingdom of God that will be 
established here upon the earth.

Here are recorded the origins of mankind that we have just completed in 
our January readings.  They describe how, in the beginning, mankind fell 
from its privileged position in the Paradise of God and suffered mortality as a 
result. The first book of Psalms presents the first stage of redemption wherein 
an individual must be prepared to acknowledge sin and accept the terms of 
salvation -- the crucifixion of one’s own desires in order to serve Almighty 
God.

The Psalms we are looking at this morning come from Book Two, and we 
know that these Psalms correspond to the book of Exodus which we also have 
recently commenced to read as the first portion of our Daily Bible Companion.  
In Exodus Moses reveals the name of Israel’s God.  When Yahweh brought the 
Israelites from Egypt under the hand of Moses, He redeemed them from the 
oppression and persecution they were experiencing.  It was His desire that they 
manifest His character.  The challenge of Exodus is a choice between two ways of 
life -- that of God or that of Egypt.  The choice is ours today also -- the way of 
the Spirit or God, as opposed to the way of the flesh as represented by 
Egypt.

Book Two of Psalms, along with Exodus, represents the second step that 
we take toward salvation as seen in the principle of baptism.  As the 
Israelites were saved from the power of the Egyptians through crossing the Red 
Sea. so believers are introduced to the way of righteousness through baptism.

The successive books of the Pentatuch and of Psalms present further 
steps in this process -- a reflection of the holiness of God in the life of the 
believer, a knowledge that God will lead those who are faithful to 
triumph over difficulties by developing faith and trust, and finally, a clear 
understanding of what God proposes for the world.  We must believe that Christ is coming 
to reign on earth and seek harmony in truth with the Bible today.

In the Davidic Psalm under consideration, we can look beyond the 
obvious and David’s situation to that of the Greater David, our Lord and Savior 
Jesus Christ.  David, as a type of Christ, experienced many things that 
Christ would experience in his first advent.  We learn from the Psalms many 
prophecies of Christ’s first coming and His sinless perfection.  They prophesy not 
only His death on the cross and His resurrection and ascension, but they 
proclaim His second coming as King of Glory reigning from Jerusalem.  We learn that 
there is a place in the kingdom for all who desire to prepare themselves in a 
personal conversion to righteousness.  To inherit this kingdom, we must answer 
the call by believing the gospel message.

David’s sin brought great consequences upon him and his family.  
Adam’s sin likewise brought serious consequences upon all of future mankind.  When 
we read these particular Psalms of David, we are reminded that our lives 
too are beset by many sufferings.  It is only human that in our moments of 
fleshly weakness, we ask why -- why does God permit pain and anguish?  David 
knew the answer; we know the answer, but we still ask why!

The Bible teaches that an all-wise, almighty Creator formed this 
marvelous universe in which we live by His infinite skills of wisdom, foresight 
and care. Yet humanity experiences continual difficulties, stresses and troubles.  
Families suffer through disease, disabilities and death.  Often through 
no fault of our own, we face times of trauma as we try to grapple with the 
question as to why we suffer.  We recognize there is a reason for the suffering 
that is an observable part of human existence.  It is a part of the present state 
of things.  It was not caused by the design or purpose of God, but rather 
by the foolishness of mankind.  This was present from the beginning and is 
perpetuated in many cases by the irresponsible actions of an ignorant and disobedient 
world.

Yet, God, whose righteousness demands punishment, brings great benefit 
out of suffering, pain and difficulty if we are prepared to understand its 
cause and effect.  David seemed to have a grasp of this great truth.  He realized 
that prayer is effective when it is fervent.  Oftentimes such fervor is born 
out of tribulation.  This is the time to remember with confidence what God has 
promised.  At the same time we realize we cannot effect our own 
salvation.  David affirms in verse 3 of Psalm 61 that “thou had been a shelter for me 
and a strong tower from the enemy.”  Proverbs 18:10 tells us that “the 
name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.”  

This theme of suffering runs throughout Scripture.  Job was a servant 
of God.  Job 1:8 tells us “that there is none like him in the earth, a 
perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil.”  But God saw 
that there would be benefits gained by Job personally, and by those like him 
in every age, if the matter were put to the test.  We know the narrative of 
Job‘s suffering both physically and at the hand of his so-called friends, but 
God meant it for a purpose.  Job’s example set a pattern that later generations 
would learn.  Realizing that there is a purpose in suffering and that the 
“latter end” of life will greatly compensate any present difficulty, faithful men 
and women are encouraged to continue patiently under the trials of the 
present.  God has promised faithful men and women they will be granted immortality 
and an inheritance of glory and honor at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We need to look no further than Jesus Himself who is the supreme 
example of suffering.  David’s suffering in these Psalms of lament are a 
prophetic utterance of the suffering that Christ would be subjected to at the 
hands of evil men.  Isaiah in chapter 53, verses 3 and 4 prophesied that “he is 
despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief, and we hid 
as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  
Surely, he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows.”  He went about doing 
good to all, healing sickness and teaching truth to which the gospel writers 
gave evidence.    
 But men driven by jealousy and bitterness, just like the 
human adversary called Satan in the story of Job, caused Jesus to suffer an 
illegal trial based on false charges.  He was scourged, beaten, and crowned with 
thorns.  However, out of the sufferings of the Lord great benefits have come to 
those who would seek God in truth.

Through His sufferings Jesus developed an empathy with those He came to 
save.  Thereby He could understand the effect of suffering on His disciples 
past and present, and identify with their difficulties.  In our moments of 
suffering, we are taught that others have experienced similar and oftentimes even 
greater trials.  Such experiences develop in the human character the 
important priestly qualities of empathy and compassion by which we are 
strengthened to triumph over difficulties and can encourage others likewise.  Christ as 
our high priest, in developing this empathy, was able to achieve reconciliation 
for the sins of the people.  We as future co-rulers in the Kingdom Age have an 
ever greater need to develop such empathy.

The fruit of the Spirit that Yahweh seeks to develop in his “called 
out ones” is not natural to the flesh, but rather needs development.  We 
are born with the selfish desires of the flesh.  God wants to change that.  Trial and 
suffering is a means to that end.  Paul says in Acts 14:22 that it is 
through much tribulation that the believer will enter the Kingdom of God.  Yahweh 
does not exempt His servants from suffering and trials, for it is by such means 
that they are able to prove their courage and conviction for the things they 
believe.  God forgave David his sins of adultery and murder, but the 
consequences remained.   David was truly repentant and proved to be a “man after 
God’s own heart.”  Through difficulties, David was, as are we, made stronger in 
character, more understanding and compassionate, and ever more faithful in 
disposition.

Back to Psalm 61.....“I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will 
trust in the covert of thy wings.”  What a godly attitude David expresses in 
verse 4!  He was definitely thinking of greater things than just a temporary 
deliverance from Saul, Absalom or his military adversaries.  His plea 
is for all of us who yearn to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Verse 5 
speaks of keeping our vows.  Israel was led out of Egypt through the waters of 
baptism and into a covenant at Sinai.  We have entered the water of baptism and now 
must keep our vows if we wish to partake of the “heritage or possession of 
those that fear thy name.”

David expressed confidence in the promises made to him in 2 Sam.  In 
verse 6   it becomes obvious that this Psalm is Messianic since it is Christ the 
King whose life will be prolonged forever through resurrection.  It is that 
life that we memorialize here this morning in these emblems of bread and 
wine.  His was a life of suffering and complete surrender to the will of His 
heavenly Father.  Through His suffering He learned obedience.  David learned 
obedience through suffering.  We too have our character molded by our response to 
trial and tribulation.  And what a hope we have when we have the advantage of 
being “in Christ”!

Many people bring unnecessary suffering upon themselves and others 
through foolish behavior.  Devastating floods, famines, economic hardship, 
disease, bloodshed, war, the  Enron and other corporate fiascos, and widespread 
clergy abuse -- these terrible events that yield immeasurable ruin and/or 
death are often the product of man’s greed and lust for power, which we know all stem  
from the lust of the flesh, the lust or the eyes and the pride of life.  God 
does not cause this suffering, but He uses it in His divine plan of 
redemption.  He allows us to undergo such discipline that we might eventually be 
trained for His greater purpose yet to be accomplished.

We pray for the soon return of our Lord and Savior when the breach 
between man and his Maker will be healed.  We know that Christ’s second 
advent is imminent, but no man knoweth the hour.  Brother Thomas addresses 
himself to God’s timing in Chapter 11 of Eureka.  “It (meaning the world) had not then 
(referring to the time of Abraham) been sufficiently subdued, improved and 
replenished. There was too much unhewn forest, too many  wild races of untamed 
humanity; too few of the conveniences and elegances of life and the existing 
civilization itself was too barbarous to constitute a gift worthy of Diety to His 
saints.  He therefore deferred the fulfillment of His promises until He had 
developed a world of kingdoms and nations of a higher order of civilization -- 
such, in short, as now occupies the globe.  This is the  better thing provided, 
the preparation of which has hitherto delayed the perfection of Abraham.  
When the time of the dead arrives, he, and all the prophets and postpentacostian 
believers, (that is, those believers after the events of Pentacost), 
will stand upon their feet again, and be made perfect,  and, when perfected in putting 
on incorruptibility will receive the Holy Land and Modern World of 
kingdoms and nations for their reward.” 

Through these emblems of bread and wine we are again reminded of the 
Promise of the Greater Than David who will sit upon the throne.  Bro. Thomas 
reminds us that “the coming of the Ancient of Days will be to the Brethren of 
Jesus Christ  their speedy deliverance from ‘all the ills that flesh is 
heir to.’  In relation to them, Mortality and Death will be swallowed up of life and 
victory, and the curses, which now cleave to flesh and blood with 
leprous inveteracy, shall afflict them no more.  They shall be ‘like Jesus’ and 
‘equal to the angels.’ This is a consummation, not only to be devoutly wished and 
prayed for, but to be earnestly sought for, and labored for, ‘by a patient 
continuance in well-doing’ -- which is the only effectual seeking that will be 
wreathed with that which fadeth not away.”

Brother Thomas’ nineteenth century Victorian English is perhaps a bit 
difficult for us today, but upon reflection, it is a poetic way of 
describing what is to take place upon the return of Christ.  Ultimately, the curse of 
death, that flesh and blood are heir to, will be replaced by eternal life. 
“Walking in the Spirit” might bring opposition and ridicule from others.  The 
suffering experienced in the past, present or in the future may arise from our 
work for Christ.  It may be health-related, family-centered or a product of 
interpersonal relationships.  Suffering can take many forms.  But again, as read 
earlier, Paul taught in Acts 14:22 -- it is through much tribulation that 
believers will “enter the kingdom of God.”  The world is being made ready;  
we are being made ready.  Will we heed the call and thereby be ready?

From the Psalms, then, we learn that God is about to establish His 
throne and kingdom on the earth where all mankind will accept His terms and 
conditions of life.  A glorious temple will be built in Jerusalem from whence the 
laws of truth and righteousness will be extended to all parts of the earth. 
“The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the 
waters cover the sea,” Habakkuk prophesies.  To those who “by patient 
continuance in well doing seek for the glory and honor and immortality” they will be 
granted eternal life.  “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and 
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be 
any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”  This is the promise 
given in Rev 21.   The body and blood of Christ symbolized by these emblems that we 
share in fellowship today are the seal of that Promise.