Purpose in Pain
We live in post-New Testament times. But sometimes, to get a fine-tuned picture of God, we need to visit the Old Testament. My point today is to confirm that God always has purpose in everything He does. Some time ago, I noticed a little word that appears all throughout Scripture. It’s the word “that” or “so that” followed by an action or promise from God Himself.
In Deuteronomy 8:15, God describes a portion of Israel’s exodus from Egypt and reminds them of the trials they faced; “terrible wilderness, fiery serpents and scorpions, thirsty ground where there was no water…He brought water for you [them] out of the rock of flint.” Then v.16 displays God’s mercy and blessing and His reason for the trial: “…He fed you manna…that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end”.
Scripture has many examples
of God sharing His reasons for doing something. The main point, whether we read it or not, is He does nothing capriciously and without purpose. Let me say that again. God always has His reasons. We may not like it because it could contain trials we don’t want. But God’s goal is—and ours should be—for us to become more like Jesus.
I noticed there was a step that preceded the “to do good.” God wanted them to humbly trust Him, not their own abilities. In the very next verse (v.17) we see more of God’s strategy, “otherwise you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’ But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth that He may confirm His covenant.”
In another real-life peek
at God’s doings, remember Job’s trials. He never knew why God allowed Satan to torture him and literally take everything—his children, his livestock, his health. And to us who see behind the scenes God’s discussions with Satan, it may seem unfair. But in the end, God restored Job to his former status 2-fold when he repented (Job 42:6) and prayed for his friends.
Not often do we get to know God’s purpose for our trials, other than His general overriding purpose to make us more like Jesus. But if God plans to do good for me/us “in the end,” I can’t think of anything better than that, even if the road ahead has potholes and detours.
Here God is making it as plain
as can be that if we humbly trust Him, our end will be good regardless of things He allows in our path. This is not necessarily a here-and-now promise, though it could be. But if we consider our lifespan juxtaposed against eternity, we can take whatever God allows in stride for the rewards He’s got in store for us when He calls us home.
Nobody knows when that will be. But I was reading in Malachi today and came across the 4th chapter, 1st verse: “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff and the day that is coming will set them ablaze says the Lord of hosts.” As I write, Southern California is experiencing out-of-control fires like nothing in their history. Could this be a precursor to what will happen when God says, “enough”?
All I know for sure
is there will come a day, maybe soon maybe not, when God’s patience with a sinful world will end. My prayer is that everybody reading this will be ready to meet Jesus. If you’re not sure, take a minute to look at the Steps To Salvation section in the back of this book or click the link to see what options you still have.
Thanks for reading.