Why Does God Ordain Suffering? - Part 2
Romans 5:3–5
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
James 1:2–4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
2 Corinthians 1:8–9
"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead."
1 Peter 1:6–7
"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
2 Corinthians 4:17–18
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Romans 8:17–18
"Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Hosea 5:15
"I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face— in their misery they will earnestly seek me."
Acts 17:26–27
"From one man he made all the nations... and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us."
Philippians 3:10
"I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."
1 Peter 2:21
"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."
John 9:2–3
"His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'"
2 Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
Romans 8:35–39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
Introduction: The Testimony of Job and the Purpose of Suffering
The book of Job provides one of the Bible’s most precise and profound pictures of suffering. Job was a righteous man who feared God and turned away from evil, yet endured unimaginable loss, pain, and despair. Though Job could not fully understand the reasons for his suffering, he remained steadfast in seeking God. Ultimately, God revealed His sovereignty, wisdom, and compassion, restoring Job and blessing him even more.
Job’s story reminds us that suffering is not always a punishment for wrongdoing, but often a part of God's greater plan—a plan that refines, strengthens, and reveals the depth of our faith. In Job 23:10, Job declares in faith, "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Through suffering, God draws us closer to Himself, teaches us dependence, molds our character, and ultimately prepares us for eternal glory.
The New Testament echoes this truth in James 1:2–4, where we are encouraged, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Like Job, believers are called to endure trials with faith, knowing that through them, God refines our character, strengthens our spirit, and prepares us for eternal glory.
As we explore why God ordains suffering, may we, like Job and as taught in James, learn to trust in God’s greater purpose. Even when His ways are hidden from us, we can be confident that He is working all things together for our good and for His glory.
God, in His wisdom, allows suffering for various purposes. The Bible reveals several reasons He ordains suffering, each leading to greater spiritual growth and dependence on Him.
1. To Draw People to Himself
Acts 17:26-27 – “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
Hosea 5:15 – “In their misery they will earnestly seek me.”
Suffering often makes people realize their need for God and seek Him.
2. To Produce Endurance and Character
Romans 5:3-4 – “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
James 1:2-4 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Hardships shape and refine us into Christlike maturity.
3. To Discipline and Correct
Hebrews 12:6, 10-11 – “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son… Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Psalm 119:67 – “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.”
God’s discipline through suffering leads to repentance and holiness.
4. To Teach Dependence on God, Not Self
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 – “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure… But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
John 15:5 – “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
Suffering teaches us to rely on God’s strength rather than our own.
5. To Demonstrate God’s Power and Glory
John 9:2-3 – “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
God’s power is revealed through human weakness and suffering.
6. To Make Us More Like Christ
Philippians 3:10 – “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”
1 Peter 2:21 – “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
Through suffering, believers are conformed to Christ’s image.
7. To Refine Faith Like Gold
1 Peter 1:6-7 – “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Job 23:10 – “When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Trials purify and strengthen our faith.
8. To Prepare Us for Future Glory
Romans 8:17-18 – “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
2 Corinthians 4:17 – “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Suffering is temporary, but eternal glory awaits believers.
9. To Make Us More Compassionate Toward Others
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “The God of all comfort… comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Personal suffering equips believers to encourage and support others.