Understanding God's Discipline
Let's review the contents of Jeremiah 29:1-7 and Romans 8:28-31. Within our first portion of text, we find the Prophet Jeremiah encouraging the captives in Babylon to settle down and understand they will be there for a while. Israel had, once again, sinned against God and had to suffer the consequences for their actions. Although Jesus does forgive sin, there are certain consequences of that sin which each of us will deal with.
Consequences of Sin
Remember, it is written: "But if you will not obey me, you’ve sinned against the LORD and your sins will find you out." (Numbers 32:23). There are countless examples of sins finding you out:
You said something off the wall to someone and they just won’t let you forget what you did.
You went on a spending spree, spending more than you made a while back and still are catching up.
Someone who once trusted you and was betrayed now looks at you with suspicion.
In our Romans portion of text, we discover that no matter what you go through, if it is on behalf of God, it will work for your good. The Jeremiah text reveals that when we do wrong, "we gotta go through it," and the Romans text reveals that "right or wrong; God can work that thing out for His good."
God's Purpose in Our Trials
If God is sending you through ‘it,’ why are you refusing to go?
He chose you, so He has equipped you to withstand.
He chose you, so He is directing your path.
He chose you, so He already knows how it is going to turn out.
He chose you, and He already told you how it is going to turn out: “Work to the good.”
You Are Chosen so You Will Suffer
When we read the text in Jeremiah, do you see that it was because they were God’s people that God, Himself, chastised them? It is written: "For whom the Lord loves, He chastens; and scourges every son He receives." (Hebrews 12:6). I would rather be chastened (whooped) by the Lord than allowed to run wild while not knowing Him.
Often, we blame Satan and forget that not only has God allowed the attack but may have been purposeful in sending Satan your way! Wasn’t it written (God told SATAN) “Have you considered my servant Job..there is none like him..”(Job 1: 6-8). God could’ve destroyed Israel instead of sending them into Babylon, but He didn’t.
Stop Scheming and Start Trusting
Often-times, we scheme our way right out of God’s will. He is saying ‘Wait,’ and we tell Him “You wait until I go handle this.” We remember the story of Israel who ‘plotted on going back to Egypt’ when they had no way out of Pharaoh’s attack at the Red Sea. Don’t you remember: “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.” (Exodus 14:13). God doesn’t need our strategy but requires only faith.
Examples of God Not Needing Our Strategy:
The deliverance at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13)
Daniel in the Lion’s Den (Daniel 6: 1-23)
A dead Jesus is alive again (Mark 16: 1-9)
Each of these examples was a miracle that required nothing more than for God’s people to ‘go through a trial’ and come out squeaky clean on the other side. Some are too worried about ‘getting a little muddy’ for the Kingdom’s sake. Some are too worried about ‘appearing’ righteous rather than ‘being’ righteous. Some are too worried about ‘how’ God will do rather than ‘that’ He will. Some are too worried about ‘others’ instead of ‘self.’ Some are too worried about ‘how they look outside’ instead of the condition of the heart. Some are too worried about ‘position’ instead of ‘real power’ which comes from God.
God Built You to Withstand the Test
Remembering our Romans text today: “All things work together for the good of those who are called according to God’s purpose.” It is that purpose which not only challenges you but glorifies God. We worship when He brings us out; but what about when we are ‘in the midst?’
Final Thoughts
You gotta go through it, but make sure you are standing for God. You gotta go through it; make sure it is the Holy Spirit guiding and not the flesh. You gotta go through it; stay prayed up. You gotta go through it; remember that you are never alone. You gotta go through it; don’t give up on God because He hasn’t forgotten about you. You gotta go through it; keep your hand in God’s hand. You gotta go through it; don’t forget that the only thing that can beat back Satan is the Word. You gotta go through it; like Israel in Babylon – remember that God is in control.
The Good News is: Even Jesus Christ, our Savior, Had to Go Through It
On the night He was sacrificed, He prayed three times in the Garden “take this cup.” God didn’t remove the cup of suffering so Jesus ‘picked the cup up.’ Judas led the enemies of Jesus to the garden and betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Jesus was taken from place to place all night long. He was declared guilty by religious leaders although no fault was found in Him. They sent Him to the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate. Pilate passed judgment on Jesus and He was sentenced to death.
Through His trials, Jesus showed us the ultimate example of obedience and trust in God’s plan. He went through unimaginable suffering for the sake of humanity, and His resurrection became the cornerstone of our faith. So, when you are going through it, remember that you are not alone. God is with you, and He has a purpose for your trials. Trust in Him, stay faithful, and know that He will bring you through it for His glory and your good.
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