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SUFFERING CAUSES OBEDIENCE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29
Hebrews 12:6-11

Psalm 93

God sends us miseries not to make
us worse but better.
(T Manton)
 
SUFFERING CAUSES OBEDIENCE
 
In our last two devotions, we considered two reasons why Christians suffer. The third reason for suffering is our deliberate unconfessed sin. Such sin destroys our fellowship with God. The Lord will not consider our prayers if such sin is in our hearts (Ps 66:18). Furthermore, unconfessed sin destroys our souls, i.e. our well-being and sense of accomplishment are taken away. The Psalmist said that there was a groaning within his heart and the heavy hand of God was upon him. All of his joy was gone because he kept quiet about his sin (Ps 32:3-4;1 Pet 2:11).
 
Finally, sin causes us to neglect the worship of the Lord and fellowship with His people. We gradually drift into a situation where our companions are those who are not Christians and we lose the joy of our faith (Ps 1:1).
 
God brings suffering into the lives of wilfully disobedient Christians to bring them back to the right way and to restore the joy of their salvation (Heb 12:6). It is important to note that God’s punishment is never capricious. He does not bring punishment upon His children, as human parents sometimes do, just because they feel the need to justify themselves (Heb 12:10). Job’s friends were sure that he was hiding sin because otherwise God would not punish him. Job was just as sure that his punishment was not because of sin since he had no known unconfessed sin in his heart. We can say with assurance that if difficulties that are caused by unconfessed sin come, we will immediately know why God is causing the suffering.
 
It is never pleasant to be punished. However, if we accept God’s correction, it will bring us back to the path of obedience and blessing (Heb 12:11; Prov 3:11-12). May all of us be careful to confess our sin that God brings to our attention so that we will have the full joy and satisfaction that God wants every Christian’s life to have.
 
THOUGHT: What are the three reasons Christians suffer?
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for Thy dealing with me, for it shows forth Thy love for me.

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