The Answers to Our Questions
God gives us the answers to our questions about hardships in His Word.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)
When Paul wrote our verse for this month, he was writing to the church in Rome. At that time, the city was experiencing peace and had yet to fully grasp the understanding of the trials and persecution that often came with suffering for Jesus. Paul wanted to give the believers there an overview of what faith in Jesus Christ looked like, not only to strengthen them as a community, but to individually give them wisdom and knowledge. The book of Romans is commonly considered one of the most practical writings on the Christian beliefs we follow today.
Something many people do not know is that, shortly after Paul wrote this letter to the Jews and Gentiles in Rome, they were expelled and persecuted by the current ruling emperor. His letter almost claims to be the provision of the Lord in warning the church of the upcoming hardship they would endure because of their faith in Jesus. He gave them an instruction manual for suffering and lamenting before the time would come to pass. He gave them the very answer they would ask God for just a few years later, when life did not feel as sweet as it once did.
I can imagine that, as the believers in Rome were being persecuted and thrown from their homes, they forgot about the good times and peace. I can promise you, they most definitely forgot about the letter Paul wrote in these moments.
I can imagine the anger: “Why would God allow this to happen?” I can imagine the fear: “What does my future look like now?” I can imagine the confusion: “Why would a God who loves me have me suffer in His name?”
The entire time they were anxious, worried and thinking all hope was lost, they had the answer. Paul had given them the key to their suffering before they even got close to it. The Lord had loved them enough to provide the answer to the questions.
How little have we changed as humans? I know we still ask these questions today.
Now, let’s apply this to our own lives. How often have we had the solution…knew the answer before our trials hit…but acted blindsided?
I know that in my life, many times I’ve been shocked by my suffering and questioned God about why He would allow something to happen. I know many times that I’ve pretended that life with Jesus meant no suffering…that as a result of my faith, that was almost owed to me. I have a feeling everyone has felt or thought something similar in their life. None of these emotions are new, none of them are unique to you, and none of them make you any less of a follower of Jesus.
Here’s the positive thing – the solution to the burning questions we have about our suffering. God, just like Paul did for Rome, has given us the answer before the question.
The Bible says we will face trials; this is a part of living in a world of sin and corruption.
Ephesians 6:10–12 ESV: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
The Bible says our trials will strengthen us if we choose to draw close to the Lord during these times.
James 1:2-4 ESV: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
The Bible says we will be blessed by the result of our hardships.
James 1:12 ESV: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
The Bible says to rejoice in our sufferings because God’s love is covering us.
Romans 5:3-5 ESV: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
When Paul wrote our verse for this month, he was writing to the church in Rome. At that time, the city was experiencing peace and had yet to fully grasp the understanding of the trials and persecution that often came with suffering for Jesus. Paul wanted to give the believers there an overview of what faith in Jesus Christ looked like, not only to strengthen them as a community, but to individually give them wisdom and knowledge. The book of Romans is commonly considered one of the most practical writings on the Christian beliefs we follow today.
Something many people do not know is that, shortly after Paul wrote this letter to the Jews and Gentiles in Rome, they were expelled and persecuted by the current ruling emperor. His letter almost claims to be the provision of the Lord in warning the church of the upcoming hardship they would endure because of their faith in Jesus. He gave them an instruction manual for suffering and lamenting before the time would come to pass. He gave them the very answer they would ask God for just a few years later, when life did not feel as sweet as it once did.
I can imagine that, as the believers in Rome were being persecuted and thrown from their homes, they forgot about the good times and peace. I can promise you, they most definitely forgot about the letter Paul wrote in these moments.
I can imagine the anger: “Why would God allow this to happen?” I can imagine the fear: “What does my future look like now?” I can imagine the confusion: “Why would a God who loves me have me suffer in His name?”
The entire time they were anxious, worried and thinking all hope was lost, they had the answer. Paul had given them the key to their suffering before they even got close to it. The Lord had loved them enough to provide the answer to the questions.
How little have we changed as humans? I know we still ask these questions today.
Now, let’s apply this to our own lives. How often have we had the solution…knew the answer before our trials hit…but acted blindsided?
I know that in my life, many times I’ve been shocked by my suffering and questioned God about why He would allow something to happen. I know many times that I’ve pretended that life with Jesus meant no suffering…that as a result of my faith, that was almost owed to me. I have a feeling everyone has felt or thought something similar in their life. None of these emotions are new, none of them are unique to you, and none of them make you any less of a follower of Jesus.
Here’s the positive thing – the solution to the burning questions we have about our suffering. God, just like Paul did for Rome, has given us the answer before the question.
The Bible says we will face trials; this is a part of living in a world of sin and corruption.
Ephesians 6:10–12 ESV: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
The Bible says our trials will strengthen us if we choose to draw close to the Lord during these times.
James 1:2-4 ESV: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
The Bible says we will be blessed by the result of our hardships.
James 1:12 ESV: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
The Bible says to rejoice in our sufferings because God’s love is covering us.
Romans 5:3-5 ESV: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Verse to Memorize
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)
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