A God Who Suffers (#246)

Bible version used: NIV

Can you believe in a God who suffers and allows suffering?

Millions do, and these are the reasons they not only believe in such a God, they love him with all their hearts.

1. This God who suffers took a big chance when he made us. He gave us the freedom to reject him and do as we please. And reject him we did! No one is as grieved over sin and its horrific effects in the world as God our Father.
Genesis 6:5,6 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth . . . and it grieved him at his heart.

2. This God who suffers longs to have an ongoing relationship with his creatures. The Bible tells the story of God seeking out his rebellious and wayward people and pleading for them to come back to him.
Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you . . .
Isaiah 30:18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

3. This God who suffers sent his only Son, Jesus, to pay for the rebellion and sin of all mankind. Jesus paid when he left heaven on our behalf and came to live as a human being in a sin-filled world. Jesus paid when he witnessed the suffering of mankind. Jesus, the only sinless man in the world, paid when he offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

4. This God who suffers raised Jesus from the dead. After being seen by hundreds of witnesses, he returned to heaven.
Romans 6:4 . . . just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5. This God who suffers walks with us when we suffer.
2 Corinthians12:9 But he said to me, “My grace
is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect
in weakness.”
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times
of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

6. This God who suffers will one day wrap up world history and bring all who love him into a new creation where there will be no more suffering.
Revelation 21:4,5 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He (Jesus) who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

7. This God who suffers offers eternal life to all who believe.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

If you would like to know more about this God who suffers, visit a church where the Bible is thoroughly studied. You will be warmly welcomed.