I have recently had the privilege of talking with a few different people going through severe, long lasting, suffering in their lives. One common question both have brought, and one which I think dwells deep in each one of us when things don't go are way is, "Does God really love me if He's doing this to me?" One person stated that, "Scripture calls God our Father, but if your dad kept giving you only bad things would you really think he liked you all that much?" We each have this heart of doubt toward God's love as we experience difficulties and trials. In fact, in some ways it is a similar mindset to that of Job's friends who contend that God does good to those who are good (loved) and punishes those who are bad (unloved). It is a sad view toward exulting our works that completely overlooks the gospel and we are each tempted toward thinking like it especially in times of suffering.
So what is our hope? I have found Romans 8 a great comfort in my own life as I've processed through these times and thought and shared it with these folks as well. … Not the part of Romans 8 you're probably thinking though. =) Typically, if you're like me, you jump to v.28-29 that God is using this for our good and His glory. This is true and good, but doesn't answer the question if God still loves, or even likes us when we're suffering. For that, I give you v.31-39.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written,
“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Notice, v.35 states that God DOES love us AND there are things that will come into our lives trying to separate us from that love. I think our sufferings fit fairly well under "tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword." However, just in case those don't cover it, we have v.38-39 give more, "death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing." Paul says that nothing can, "separate us from the love of God." He says that because of that love, we can get through the sufferings rather than doubting the love. Verse 37 states, "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." Look back at the end of v.39 though. Where does this love of God come from? "Which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." God's love is guaranteed for us in the gospel! But, just in case you doubt that, jump back to v.32, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" If God killed His Son for you, how could He not give you His love ("all things")? Christ's death is not just a onetime demonstration of God's love. It is the proof of His eternally continuing love toward you and I whether we are living our best day or going through years of deepest suffering.
God loves you and is for you! Walk and suffer well in that love!
Phil Smith
