When Sin Causes Suffering
Key Verse to Read and Treasure
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil—I Peter 3:17 (ESV)
For Insight
Forty years wandering in the desert. An entire generation that would not live to see the promised land. Suffering, trials, enemy attacks, all due to sin and willful disobedience. The people of God had used the occasion of Moses being on the mountain with God, to construct a golden calf with the gold meant for building the temple once they reached the promised land.
Suffering because of circumstances beyond our control, suffering because God has chosen us to suffer and suffering because Satan has shot his fiery darts into our life is one thing, but suffering because we have been disobedient and self-willed is another.
Peter wrote it’s better—if it is the will of God—to suffer for doing what right. Suffering for doing good or what is right keeps our conscience clear. We can stand proud, with our head high, sleep soundly, and live without guilt or shame when the accusations about us are not true. We might be suffering persecution, injustice, hatred, alienation, but at least we are in the right. If we suffer for having integrity, for being faithful, or for being longsuffering, the suffering may be hurtful and difficult to endure but it is the suffering that results in glorifying God. When we suffer because of humility or gentleness we will always come out as shining stars. When we suffer for doing what’s right God is not only our judge and our defender, he will take care of those who make us suffer unjustly.
Life Lesson
When we suffer for doing what is good and right, we share in the suffering of Christ and there is nothing more rewarding than that.
Jesus, you suffered for sins you did not commit. Your name was defiled and your message was misinterpreted. You suffered the injustices of mankind from the time you entered this world to the moment you ascended into heaven. Yet you did not let suffering keep you from accomplishing the Father’s will nor securing our salvation. Thank you. Amen
Digging Deeper
Devotionally Yours 