By Fenter Northern
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. — Romans 8:28
SUFFERING has been here since Cain; not just since he ruthlessly murdered his righteous brother, but even before that in his mind. Cain previously suffered the pain of jealousy in his heart over his younger brother’s righteousness which cast reflection on his conduct toward God as being less than excellent which gradually grew worse. Thus, Jealousy turned to envy, and envy hate, and hate vented itself in murder.
Consequently, suffering has always plagued mankind through sin, and it is here to stay. The question that has haunted man for millenniums is: Why must the just suffer with the unjust? As a result, speculative explanations are many.
However, suppose an answer could be found — that would not change one thing, for pain would still have to be borne. Therefore, it is not an explanation we need, but how can we find comfort in suffering.
We hear the above text quoted very much in a truncated way, like this: “All things work together for good.” Yet, we know all things at that point do not work together for good. All people do not endure pain in the same way. For some people it can cause reflective circumspection for improvement, even to turn their hearts to the gospel message; for others it can cause wretched bitterness, which only adds gnawing pain to the heart. This is so common it needs no further pursuing here.
We hear from ofttimes that suffering is an unconditional blessing, but that is not always so. That is not what the apostle Paul said in the text cited above. He wrote this: “All things work together for good to them that love God ….”
Paul is not offering an explanation here for suffering; he is pointing to victory while enduring suffering. He is saying there is help when one is in anguish and that help is found in God. The author of Hebrews is in strict accord with Paul: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Finding help in time of need is victory, not a theory for suffering.”
In Regard to our suffering, the Holy Spirit is repeatedly referred to as the Comforter (John_14:16; 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). The Greek word is paracletos; it means to summon one to stand beside you when in need. The word is translated advocate in I John 2:1, referring to Christ. So, the Holy Spirit is offering no explanation for suffering here; He says love God and pray; that’s the victory – call on Jesus the Christ for help in your time of need. When in pain, we need not explanation, but Comfort. Jesus knows and understands.
He has been in anguish. He prayed in the dark night until sweat as drops of blood dropped from His brow, yet He prayed: “Not my will, but thine be done.” So, let us say with the Psalmist, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me … You spread a table for me in the presence of mine enemies … You restore my soul…good and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen!