The Weekly Focal Point - January 15
Pain & Suffering
Like any good parent, there are times when God brings difficulty, pain and loss to the lives of his children. The biblical reasons vary, but the hurt is always real. And when those times come it is good to remember the words of Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:32-33, “Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.” Jeremiah wants his suffering countrymen to understand that their loving Father finds no pleasure in their pain. Nor is he dispassionate or aloof. He knows the pain of human hurt and he is compassionate – even when our grief is the result of our own sin (as it was for Jeremiah’s generation). We should not doubt that in time God will bring healing and restoration. It is his nature to do so. As his children, we should expect it and reach out for it in humility and with unwavering faith. In his wisdom he may make us wait for it – sometimes for months or in some cases for years – but it should be our resolve to patiently wait on his deliverance. Pain hurts, but when his purposes are accomplished, his unfailing love will be our relief and our joy.
-Pastor Mike
JANUARY OFFER
I am so glad that God is better at keeping His promises than the rest of us! Take, for instance, all the goals we make for the year ahead. We go out and buy gym memberships and how-to guides, determined to make progress on some positive habits. Unfortunately, many of those good intentions fall to the wayside within a few weeks or even days.
But not with God. What He says, He will do. We can trust that His Word and His promises will hold true throughout eternity. In The Promises of Grace, author Bryan Chapell provides an encouraging look at the promises we can expect God to fulfill in our lives—promises like the assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, and perseverance in trial. Let us know you’d like a copy of this book when you contact us with your donation.
Request The Promises of Grace by Bryan Chapell with your donation this month.
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