This is a unique time of year. Many are with family and friends, joyfully celebrating the holidays, and to them it is the greatest time of the year. To others, it is a very sad time. In fact, this is the time of year when the number of suicides is the greatest. These two facts seem difficult to reconcile.

But then, the same dichotomy exists within the Church. Why are there those who hurt, and also those who seem to never have a care, always under the blessings of God. And more simply, why does God allow His children to suffer. Is there a theology of pain that somehow fits with the Bible we know to be true and infallible and which presents a loving God who sacrificed His Son for us?

Yes there is hope for the hurting. There is an answer to the why questions, and no, you will not be scolded for asking them. Please turn in your Bible to 2 Corinthians 1.

2 Cor 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia: [2] Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. [5] For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. [6] If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. [7] And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. [8] We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. [9] Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. [10] He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, [11] as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

God has three things to say to the hurting, from His Word. They are:

1. I know how you feel.
2. I can help.
3. I am all you need.
   

I Know How You Feel

Many of us falsely assume that God could never know the struggles and problems that we face. The truth is that Jesus, in His unique role as the God-Man, felt many of the pains and sorrows that are common to us. Consider the following biblical texts:

• God knows rejection - Matthew 13:57 "And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, 'Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.'"
• God knows abandonment - Matthew 26:56 "But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled."
• God knows betrayal - Matthew 26:45 "Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
• God knows separation - Hebrews 1:8 "But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom."
• God knows the pain of losing a loved one - Jesus' death on the Cross
• God knows poverty - Matthew 8:20 "Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
• God knows homelessness - Matthew 8:20 "Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
• God knows singleness - Jesus was never married
• God knows childlessness - Mark 10:14 "When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Despite Jesus' great love for children, He never had children of his own.
• God knows what it feels like to be used - Luke 17:17 "Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
• God knows what it feels like to be unappreciated - Matthew 13:57 "And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."
• God knows powerlessness - Luke 2:5-7 "He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (6) While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, (7) and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
• God knows sorrow - Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
• God knows grief - John 11:34-36 "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"
• God knows weakness - Matthew 4:2 "After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
• God knows the trials of living with incompetents - Luke 2:51 "Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
• God knows the pain of a bad reputation - Psalm 69:12 "Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

I Can Help

It is the plan of God and the eternal reality of faith that God will not work through our strength, but rather our weakness. It is only when we reach the place of utter desperation and look heavenward and confess that all that there is of us will not be sufficient, that God rushes in to our aid. It is the dependence and pure faith of a child that was used to illustrate saving faith. This principle is not only true of our salvation, but also our daily sanctification.

In Hebrews 11:32-34 the Scripture says "And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, (33) who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, (34) quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies."

God used these great heros of faith not because of their talent or ability, but rather because He knew they were weak, and humbly looked to God for His strength.

Dear friend, God is not only ready to help, He is willing to help. Not only is He willing to help, but He has sovereignly designed our lives to need that help. Do not stubbornly proceed on your own, but rather embrace the One who waits patiently for you to but ask for His assistance.

I am All You Need Exodus 14:12-14 "Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Philippians 4:12-13 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

God's promise of deliverance is to walk through, and not out of difficult circumstances. Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Three eternal truths:

1. Jesus' ministry was focused on the hurting
2. Circumstances are tools, character is the goal
3. Its going to be all right, becuase God is in control

A Mandate to the church - The Good Samaritan Luke 10:33-37 "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Please notice these 6 truths from this story:

• The Samaritan was looking at people.
• The Samaritan was moved with compassion.
• The Samaritan allowed his compassion to have arms and legs.
• The Samaritan's compassion cost him something.
• The Samaritan only enlisted the help of others after he had done all he could do.
• The Samaritan followed up on his friend.
• The church as a healing place, not a hurting place.

If you are hurting today, go to the One who knows the depth of your pain, and who promises to take your hand and walk thorugh those dark days with you. You are not alone my friend. The very God who created you and loves you unconditionally longs to hold you and help your broken heart heal.

If you are joyous today, are you following the pattern of the Good Samaritan and binding the wounds of the hurting? Are you making your church and your home a healing place for the brokenhearted?

Related Resources

Through My Christmas Window Michael's Christmas Gift Michael's Christmas Train Michael's Hope

© 1997 Pastor William E. Miller. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.