Reward for SufferingSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: When trials and tribulations surround you, do not panic. They come only when the Lord permits them into His children's lives. But He will make a fence around you and keep you safe. When you have come out of it, you will have eternal glory. In 1969, my father had a dreadful disease in his heart! In 1985 again he lay seriously ill. In 1986, I lost my sister in a minute's time. On 2nd January 1990, my father had a massive heart attack and underwent a major operation. For four months we remained in the hospital and shed bitter tears. It was God's will that we should pass through all such sufferings.
My dear friend, all of us pass through sufferings in our lives. But amidst our sufferings, He strengthens us all the more. He grants us His abounding grace to pass through them. In course of time, we acquire much strength and become victorious. Our hearts become strong enough to resist any temptation from the devil or any disease that might threaten to take us away from the Lord Jesus.
My grandmother suffered for very long from a dreadful disease. At that time, my grandfather had not come to the saving grace of Christ. He was a slave to several sinful practices. My grandmother's disease worsened. She would scream aloud in her pain. One day, my grandfather heard how Jesus shed His blood for our sake. He gave his heart to Christ on that day and began to pray for his wife's release. Days passed by. His prayer did not appear to have any effect. My grandmother was still not healed. But one day, the Lord filled my grandfather with the Holy Spirit and spoke to him, "My son! Of course, it is difficult for Me to hear your cry. But this is the way that you have to tread and there is no other way." In the end, my father also was drawn to Christ. He began to read the Bible. The Lord filled him with the Holy Spirit and the nine gifts. He made him a servant of His. Through my father, my mother's life was transformed. Through both of them, the Lord transformed my life too. All our family has been blessed on all sides. We do not forget that it began with the painful path that my grandmother and grandfather had to walk through.
Friend, sorrows and sufferings will come to us in life. But through them all, our Lord will strengthen you all the more and lead you to receive His blessings a hundred-fold here on earth besides eternal life in the world above. Do not lose your faith. Just hold fast to the Lord.
"All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
In this world which is full of trials and tribulations, it is the desire of Jesus that we should acquire fresh strength, live resolutely and attain eternal life. He erects a fence around you to keep you safe from the plans and agents of the devil. A day will come when you would say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7,8)
Our Lord Jesus will will welcome you, embrace you and kiss you when you enter into Heaven. He will lovingly say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord" (Matthew 25:21). My dear friend, when tribulations come your way, do not lose heart. God has a purpose even in that.
Prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus,
Give me Your grace to endure the sufferings that come my way, patiently. Help me to run the race that is set before me in faith. I thank You for making me grow stronger in faith. I want to see You in Heaven and experience Your joy after I complete my race on this earth. Let not this worldly sorrows and sufferings draw me away from You. I make this prayer in the glorious name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen. |