Suffering 25
Peter’s first epistle dwells on the
subject of suffering in depth, not just by specific mention but all through the
book. Toward the beginning we find this wonderful text. Wherein ye greatly
rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through
manifold temptations (I Peter 1.6). Peter understood each of us have an all
too human tendency to think when we are trudging through the vale of sorrow
that it is going to last forever. To allay that natural attitude, he lovingly
inserts three little words I could not get past in preparing this series, for
a season. They were in heaviness, a word specifically relating to sorrow.
They were experiencing this hard-to-bear sorrow for manifold reasons. Peter was
assuring them that this sorrowful weight they carried for several different
reasons was not going to last forever. It was only for a season.
Three thoughts flow from this in my
mind. First, there are seasons of suffering in the Christian life but they do
not last forever. For instance, to the children of Israel born and raised
during their Wilderness wanderings this season of suffering composed their
entire life – but it did not last forever. To those whose memories stretched
back to better days in Egypt, and had seen the hand of the Lord via the plagues
and the Red Sea it must have hurt terribly – but it did not last forever. Ye
dwelt in the wilderness a long season (Joshua 24.7) but it was only that, a
season. It made a tremendous impression on national Israel, and the lessons
forged in that crucible of suffering were often referred to by later prophets
and preachers, but it did not last forever.
God will only keep you in the season
of suffering as long as He needs you to be there. For a season, if need be. To
this Solomon agreed beforehand when he wrote, To every thing there is a
season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3.1). He
will not leave you in heaviness one minute longer than is necessary to
accomplish His purpose, whether it be your own purification, others’ edification,
or His own glory. It will not last forever, only until His purpose is
accomplished.
Second, these seasons of suffering in
the Christian life are designed to produce fruit later. Some years ago I read
“The Dreamt Land” by Mark Arax. In it, he vividly describes what drought,
engineering, and over-use have done to California’s aquifier. In the process, I
learned that during drought’s citrus fruit becomes sweeter and vegetables
become more flavorful. So it is with suffering.
Sometimes we cling to the erroneous
idea that we are always going to be growing, always going to be seeing results,
plucking the fruit, so to speak. This is simply unscriptural. John the Baptist
certainly had periods with great fruit and others of dwindling and doubt. It
was said of the people in relation to him, ye were willing for a season to
rejoice in his light (John 5.35). But they only responded to him for a
season. And one season is just as ordained of God as another, whether of
dwindling or growth.
Churches go through dry spells. People
go through dry spells. Marriages go through dry spells. Fruit bearing in the
life of a righteous man is seasonal. And he shall be like a tree planted by
the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season (Psalm 1.3). If
you quit on God during the dry season, if the heat on your back, the sweat on
your brow, and the grit on your parched tongue causes you to throw in the towel
you never will reach the bringeth-forth-fruit season. And let us not be
weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not
(Galatians 6.9).
Philemon understood this. A godly
Christian, he experienced grief at the hands of his servant, Onesimus, who
stole from him and ran off to Rome. Later, after Onesimus had been brought to
Christ by Paul’s intervention the latter told Philemon, For perhaps he
therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever
(Philemon 1.15). Beloved, perhaps your son or daughter has departed for a
season that you might receive them forever. The season of loss and grief is oft
a necessary prequel to the season of reaping. Faint not.
Third, we are called to be
consistently Christian in all seasons.
It has been my deep privilege and solemn
responsibility to shepherd a flock of God’s children for the last 1,335 weeks.
Some of those Sundays I have rejoiced to see fruit. Others have been like
walking over broken glass. But in all of them, I was required to be faithful. Preach
the word; be instant in season, out of season (II Timothy 4.2). The Apostle
Paul would understand what I feel completely here. He told the Ephesian
pastors, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what
manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with… many tears,
and temptations (Acts 20.18-19).
Many reading this will be experiencing
a season of suffering. What you are going through is not an excuse to exit
stage right into a subpar Christian life. In fact, what you have is an
opportunity to glorify God, edify other believers, and bring the lost to him. You
have been handed an opportunity not an excuse.
While meditating on this text some years
ago, the Lord moved me my heart. Putting pen to paper, I wrote the following
words.
For a Season
I wept as I walked
down the road;
A paperboy trudging
through rain.
My heart was hurt
'neath the load,
But I didn't see
then the pain
...was only 'for a
season.'
I wept as I walked
down the road;
A steelworker
stumbling through snow.
The bleak ice of
winter's abode
A mirror of my cry
of woe
...but 'twas only
'for a season.'
I wept as I stood
by the crib
In that lonely
hospital room.
Her heart
fluttered 'neath the rib,
And close by death
whispered doom
...but 'tis only
'for a season.'
I wept sitting
there in my car
When I came to
your house to pray.
I know a bit 'bout
the scar
On your heart, so
I gently say
...it is only 'for
a season.'
O my people, I
lovingly plead
For your patience
and faith in the Lord.
You suffer
heartaches indeed.
Take the comfort
this thought does afford
...'twill be only
'for a season.'
I promise your
sorrow will end;
A smile will
return to your face.
The tear in your
heart He will mend;
The wound with joy
He'll replace
...because this is
only 'for a season.'
And someday we'll
all gather 'round
The Throne in
eternity's day.
This suffering
life we'll lay down;
The tears all
wiped away
...and it won't
just be 'for a season.'
Excellent Truth! Vital for perspective to continue through the hard times.
ReplyDeleteI love it! After 42 years of living a Christian life, I can say "Spot on"
ReplyDelete