Scripture
He {Jesus} himself suffered when he was tempted. Now He {Jesus} is able to help others who are being tempted.
~Hebrews 2:18, NIrV
Quote
Your ministry will be forged from your suffering and this can even include failure.
~Ya’akov
There is a lot of pain and suffering in this world. The fields are white unto harvest when you see all those who are hurting. Hospitals, doctors, nurses, technicians devote their lives to helping those who are suffering physically but there is probably more emotional suffering than physical. So many are grieving the loss of a loved one. Two fine teenage kids lost their physical life in Limestone County last year, a 16 year old girl from Ardmore and a 17 year old boy from West Limestone. Both were very good kids. Grief causes a lot of suffering. Then there is drug abuse and divorce: these two are wrecking havoc in our community.
Paul told the Corinthians, “If I suffer, it is for your comfort.” What on earth did he mean? Our suffering prepares us for our ministry. We are unqualified to comfort and give aid to others until we ourselves have suffered. Even in the life of Jesus, suffering came first. Jesus was the Man of Sorrows, He was well acquainted with grief. Because He suffered, He is able to help us when we suffer. Peter said, Christ suffered in his body. So get ready as a soldier does. Prepare yourselves to think in the same way Christ did. Do it because those who have suffered in their bodies are finished with sin. As a result, they don’t live the rest of their lives on earth controlled by evil human longings. Instead, they live to do what God wants.
I was reading the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel this morning. Hannah was grieving the fact she had no children. Each year, Hannah’s burden grew heavier and harder to bear. Her rival, Peninnah teased her constantly, so much so that Hannah became depressed and withdrawn. Hannah’s husband loved her but he did not know how to help her: a man can not understand this problem. Elizabeth and Sarah could have comforted Hannah because they too had experienced the same problem. When the young man from West Limestone was accidentally killed in a single car wreck, my niece Elizabeth went to see the mother. She was qualified to give comfort because she had the same thing happen in August. Elizabeth has a unique ministry and he comes from her suffering.
You can make perfume out of rose petals but you can’t do it without crushing the petals. The wonderful fragrance comes after the roses are crushed. The AV translated Hebrews 2:18 like this, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Succour is an old English word that my computer does not recognize, it means to give assistance and support in times of hardship and distress. Wow, what a ministry! Is there someone in your circle of influence that you give assistance and support today?
THIS DAY IN 2000
I took Mother to Columbia, Tennessee. We visited the historic Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home. Mrs. Martha Newby’s had been promoted. Jerry treated mother and I to supper at a little wayside cafe at the junction of 64 and I-65.
January went by in a hurry and the beautiful weather was unprecedented. I worked outside in short sleeves yesterday; even got a little bit of sun. Chloe was swinging in a sleeveless dress around 5:00 in the evening. It got close to 80*. Our first big holiday of the year [other than New Years] is tomorrow. I have to come up with a tradition of GROUNDHOGS DAY. Perhaps going to Cracker Barrel would be a good start. If they would let school out, it would help. Lincoln’s birthday or valentine day just don’t cut it for me. Honestly, we should make February 22 a National Holiday. If this country was not infested with liberals, it would be a holiday.
If you would like to pray for President Trump, turn to Psalm 72 and use it for a guide. You are going to be amazed. Use a modern translation. The NIrV is excellent.