Page 5 - Livin Light Issue 81

Wednesday May 31 - The grace of suffering
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 2 Corinthians 12:7
This is a difficult text; it begs the question, how should we react to suffering? In today’s reflection, suffering has a positive outcome; namely, keeping us from being conceited. Are you contending with ongoing struggles; despite your prayers of deliverance, the problem remains? Is there a grace to be found in amongst the pain? Or do we feel betrayed that this should be happening to us? What is there to be learnt when injustice and disappointment knock on life’s door?
What does suffering teach us? Well, it can lessen our attachment to this world and increase our longing for the next. That is why so many hymns birthed during the time of slavery speak of the kingdom to come and Jesus’ return. Suffering also leads us to acknowledge the sovereignty of God, to admit our inadequacy and our total dependence on him.
Yes, suffering is a great ‘humbler’, but faith looks to the time when we will be lifted up: ‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time’ (1 Peter 5:6). Wonderfully, ‘God opposes the proud (the haughty and self-reliant) but gives grace to the humble’ (1 Peter 5:5).
God graces us with suffering so that we might learn humility. And when we learn humility, God gives us... grace. This is grace upon grace. Hallelujah!
Father, in our lament may we hear your still small voice and know the comfort of your strong right arm. Amen.
Thursday June 1 - The grace of patience
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
2 Corinthians 12:8
Hmm! When is the right time to stop praying for something, acknowledging that God’s ways and thoughts are beyond our own (Isaiah 55:8)? We do not know what Paul’s ‘thorn in the flesh’ was – maybe a health issue, or a troublesome person? Whatever it may have been, he saw it as a hindrance and asked for it to be removed.
I am sure Joni Eareckson prayed for healing after a tragic diving accident left her paralysed – that is until Joni had a revelation of God’s greater grace. Joni writes, ‘Decades of study, paralysis, pain, and cancer have taught me to say, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Psalm 119:71).’
As a young believer, I was inspired by the writings of a Chinese Christian, Watchman Nee (1903-72). In his biography, Watchman speaks of a time when he was laid low for six months with TB. He was so frustrated, having just finished seminary with a passion to evangelise. He felt his prayers for healing were falling on deaf ears – that is until a wise American missionary visited him. Her response was, “Watchman, your life is like a fast- flowing river and you have a boulder which you are asking to be removed. God will either remove the boulder or raise the level of the water. He must do one or the other!” Dear friend, this is grace!
Father, if now is not the time to remove the boulder, please raise the water level. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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