The Way Through

"We are the heirs, and nowhere in our inheritance is suffering. But we suffer because this earth is full of imperfections."

GOD DOES NOT give us suffering. But He did say there would be suffering. It was not a promise, as we judge promises, either being a reward or vindictive. It was prophetic. God knows all events for each individual, each culture, each nation and government, and is not disturbed or fearful of them. He knows our hearts, too, and that we are fickle, emotional beings. We react to fear, to joy, to sorrow, and sometimes, without thinking. So He wanted us to know, far in advance, that we would suffer, and He is not behind it or the reason for it. He is the way through it and out of it.

He is not to blame for it. But He gave us Jesus to lead us into victory. Jesus suffered on our behalf.

The devil lives in a perpetual state of self-orchestrated chaos, self-glorification, and selfishness. He actually thought He could exalt his throne (he didn’t have a throne) above the Father. What a joke that is, that a created being could overcome the power of the universe which spins from God’s hands. But in his selfish pride, he fell and now, tries to drag all of mankind down with him. He wants us to suffer because, for eternity, he has and he will. The trouble with that is Jesus came and died, suffering as a human being, the indignity of hatred and maliciousness of demonically-inspired men, knowing He would be raised to life as King of Kings, as King of Suffering. Not to glorify it, but to participate in it and free those who for all their lifetime were subject to the bondage of it and a fear of death (Hebrews 2:15).

There is another verse in Hebrews 2 which speaks so huge on our behalf. In Hebrews 2:7, the writer quotes Psalms 8 saying that man was “for some little time” (AMPC) ranked LOWER THAN the angels but that God has set him OVER all the works of his hands. These two pictures are opposite. How can man be ranked LOWER for a time when he is meant to be HIGHER and seated in heavenly places? (Ephesians 1:3) Then it goes on in verses 8-10 to tell us that Jesus went before us, to “bring many sons into glory” (Verse 10). He makes the way out of suffering and into perfection, such as our minds cannot comprehend. In essence, Jesus went lower than angels in order to lift us up above them. Angels are ministers to the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14).

We are the heirs, and nowhere in our inheritance is suffering. But we suffer because this earth is full of imperfections. Through Jesus’ sacrifice and victory it will be made perfect. Until then, we must walk hand-in-hand with Him, “in step with” the Spirit, knowing who we are as children of God and what He has done in us. Knowing our heavenly Father, our good, gentle King, and the loving Spirit are FOR US and do not work against us. That would be counter to who they are and to what Jesus came to earth to do. It would be a kingdom divided, and a divided kingdom cannot stand but will topple. Nothing our God does fails. He is never uncertain but sure and just in all things.

He is perfect balance, and we can rely on Him to always pull us out of a jam and set the scales right. Here are the words of Philippians 4:8, that we think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, with any virtue and praise in them. We think on them because we see Jesus in them, Jesus in people, and the possibilities of heaven. Not the suffering but a lifestyle of light and love and success on this earth that resembles heaven. That was (is) Jesus’ prayer which He spoke then went forward to fulfill, though it led to an old, rugged cross and a rich man’s tomb. Though it led through suffering, it rose in victory with us as His reward.

He'd tell you it was worth it.

“But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because of His having suffered death, in order that by the grace (unmerited favor) of God [to us sinners] He might experience death for every individual person. For it was an act worthy [of God] and fitting [to the divine nature] that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect [should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest] through suffering.” (Hebrews 2;9-10 AMPC)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Image by Parinya Ngamluan from Pixabay


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com