Wednesday: Sufficient for the Day . . .
Read the following verses and think about the immediate fate of those depicted in the texts. Then ask yourself the question: How fair was life treating them?
Job 1:18–20 “While he was still speaking, another also came and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!’ Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.”
Gen. 4:8 “Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.”
Exod. 12:29-30. “And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.”
2 Sam. 11:17 “Then the men of the city came out and fought with Joab. And some of the people of the servants of David fell; and Uriah the Hittite died also.”
Jer. 38:6 “So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the king’s son, which was in the court of the prison, and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire. So Jeremiah sank in the mire.”
Matt. 14:10 “So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.”
Heb. 11:35–38 “Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”
Image © Kevin Carden from GoodSalt.com
The Bible reflects a harsh fact about life in our fallen world: evil and suffering are real. It’s only a superficial reading of the Word of God, pulling a few texts out of the whole context, that could give anyone the idea that life here is fair, and just, and good, and that if only we remain faithful to God, suffering won’t come. Certainly faithfulness can reap great rewards now, but that doesn’t mean it provides an absolute barrier to suffering and pain. Just ask Job.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave a powerful homily on why we need to trust God and not to worry about what we will eat, or drink, or wear. And Jesus used examples from nature as object lessons on why we can trust in God’s goodness to meet our needs. He then included these famous words: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matt. 6:34).
Notice, sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Jesus wasn’t denying the presence in our lives, even the daily presence, of evil (from a Greek word that can mean “badness,” “depravity,” and “malignity”). If anything, He was doing the opposite. He was acknowledging the prevalence and presence of evil in our daily lives. How could He not? As the Lord, He knew more about the evil in the world than any of us ever could, and all of us certainly know a lot about it already.
| Who hasn’t tasted a bit (or maybe a lot) of just how unfair and bitter life can be? How can focusing on Jesus’ acknowledgment of this evil’s reality help give us comfort and strength amid it? |
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Of all the calamities that befell Job, he bowed and worshiped God. Someone that is serving God with the whole of his heart, yet didn't complain at the most dreadful time of his life. Unlike us. May God give us the opportunity and more strength to remember that in all situation, he's God and that he cares.
I think Job did do a little complaining when he was wishing that he never was born etc...but at the end of his complaints he uttered " the Lord gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord".
It is indeed comforting to know that Jesus has not promised us a bed of roses in this life. I particularly love the words of Jesus in John 16:33; 'in this world you will have many trials, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world'
But nowadays, prosperity preachers promise well-meaning Christians a pain-free existence on this earth. The conditions are centered around a list of 'righteous actions' such as 'planting a seed' 'casting out demons from the past' saying midnight prayers'. Unfortunately, misfortunes still happen to those who follow the 'righteous acts' prescribed by prosperity preachers. The results of following such theories are appalling when misfortune strikes. I have seen someone sink into endless depression after losing one car. A sad turn to what had been a fairly good and godly life in the sight of many. It is important to know and accept that the Christian journey is thorny. And accept the boots that Jesus offers us for treading the thorny path. We thank God for this lesson.
Good point. But is it really indeed comforting to know that Jesus did not promise us a bed of roses in this life? I kinda wish He had.
In John 16:33, Jesus did warn us that we would have tribulations, but in the same verse He also lets us know that we may be "of good cheer" because He has overcome the world and He has spoken of future events that we might "have peace". Jesus can bring peace in the midst of our storms.
In John 16:33, Jesus did warn us that we would have tribulations, but in the same verse He also lets us know that we may be "of good cheer" because He has overcome the world and He has spoken of future events that we might "have peace". Jesus can bring peace in the midst of our storms.
Mark 10:29-30 My understanding from the above texts is that the bed of roses is a bi product of a righteous life. But it should NOT be what draws you to Christ because the devil may use it as a snare like how the prosperity preachers do. Also notice that the bed of roses comes with its own persecutions.
Amen, we'll said Khutsang, I love this!
I know exactly what You mean, especially about those preachers, in a very personal way!
our LORD does not promise fairness, He promises justice.
Justice in the Old Testament is translated from, tsedeq, the same word which has been more commonly translated as righteousness. (Cf. Ps. 9:8 & Ps. 89:14)
That it is going to get "fixed"!
[per today's last question]
I am comforted by the verses of 2 Peter 1:2-12 it's the life we experience and the reassurance of Jesus deliverance
We have this hope that burns within our hearts
I love the statement in the writings which says,(paraphase); " in the time of dispare God's children will find hope. In the time of great fear, God children will find peace, . In the time of darkness whey will see light."
indeed indeed!
Niiiice!
Exod. 12:29-30 makes me troubles. In all the other cases man is causing the catastrophy. Here it is God... God is love. How can he put so much sorrow on the Egyptians. Can anybody explain that to me?
Khutsang Maroba, i believe you have summed Tuesday's lesson about unfair fates and that of Wednesday's which highlights the reality of evil and suffering in today's world and its ability to penetrate the lives of even the faithful by giving us such a timely reminder of John 16:33. "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer" for I (GOD) have overcome the world". These things he has spoken that amidst the devastating journey that we will face, once we profess to be representatives of the cross, we will find peace in him knowing that as the lord of our lives understands our pains and our tears and unspoken hurt, as he also has been literally tested and tempted and has suffered, even more greater than we ever will.
Barbara, the Egyptians were warned. That was the last plague. They did not heed God's words. There was a way to escape the plague. Place the blood on the doorpost and they would be spared. Before retribution comes God warns us. In Revelation 18:4-8 God warns us to come out of Babylon so that we receive none of her plagues. "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her." There will be a judgment.
Yes, many examples of unjust acts against good people, but hasn't Jesus given us HIS peace? (John 14:27) Did this peace save Him from suffering and even death? Yet He had peace, though nearly crushed by the burden(s) placed upon Him, His faith was unshaken, and was even able to sleep on a sinking boat during a fierce storm, and stand unmoved in the face of a legion of shrieking demons, all by faith in God which brings perfect peace while casting out all fear.
The Devil is angry with the Woman and makes war against the remnant of her seed. While our hope should be bright, severe trials will be faced by many "shall be purified, and made white, and tried".
God is not Santa Claus. He stood back and let my son die and I still truly believe God is good. I know the plans I have for you...I'm waiting for the darkened glass to clear trying to maintain my faith in his love and judgement.
Yes Bev, and God also stood back and let His innocent and only begotten Son die, so your son (and everyone else) could rise again to eternal life.
The grave will have no victory, and death no sting for the redeemed. One of the many "exceeding great and precious promises" from God for us to believe in.