Father's Providence and Our Suffering
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
10/20/2013 AM
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Text:
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Psalm 66;
Lord's Day 10
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Psalters: |
378, 329, 272, 174 |
- Suffering teaches.
- Suffering is a constant reality in this life.
- Suffering is a constant and real part of this life?s existence: it is ?valley of the shadow of death?.
- Scripture makes clear that God is sovereign also over suffering: He sends it; He measures it; He gives relief from it.
- In general, our Father uses suffering to show?
- Sin to mankind; so man knows he is a sinner before God.
- Christ.
- By His suffering Jesus bore the punishment earned by His elect?s sins and earned righteousness and eternal life.
- His suffering does not take away suffering, but it does take away its sting (I Cor. 15:55a), changing it into being even a means to experience God?s saving nearness.
- Scripture teaches that God?s grace changes suffering for God?s children.
- Romans 8:17ff. teaches much about the sufferings of this present time.
- Psalm 66 shows that God?s grace brings benefits through affliction.
- And we learn about chastisement, in distinction from punishment, is judgment sanctified and changed in its purpose.
- Suffering enriches God?s children spiritually.
- First, suffering shows us where our wealth is, and where our strength and help are not.
- Suffering reminds us that all earthly things are passing and essentially unsatisfying.
- We learn that Jesus and all that is in Him is truly soul-satisfying (endearing) and eternal, for His love never fails.
- Suffering revitalizes our prayer life (Isa. 26:16; Psalm 55:1-4,17).
- Suffering increases our understanding and appreciation of God?s Word (Psalm 119:71,72).
- Suffering makes us exercise and develop our spiritual graces (fruit of the spirit).
- Suffering equips us to comfort our fellow-saints (II Cor. 1:3,4).