Suffering, God Knows the End

Devotional Reading: As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:10‭-‬11 ESV

When a film maker or a script writer writes a movie, he usually already knows how the movie will end. He knows the conflicts the main characters are going to face and how they are going to overcome them.

It’s the same with God. He is writing your story, and He already knows the ending. Sometimes, we want to scream, “What’s going to happen?” We want to take a peek at the last page. Without the whole story, we struggle to trust that God’s purpose for our problems is really worth all the pain.

Job is a perfect example of someone who must have been so confused about God’s purpose for his suffering. He cries out to God in his frustration, and he nears despair many times. But God reminds Job that His purposes and plans always prevail. While God never tells Job the purpose for his suffering, He does promise Job that He is still in control.

We may not get to hear the larger story of how our suffering works into the plan of God. But we should be reassured by the knowledge that God always has a purpose for what we go through.

We can wait patiently for God’s plan when we know that it will never fail. Our suffering is just a small part of the larger story of God’s love for the world.

Prayer and Confession
Dear God, sometimes it’s hard for me to have faith when I can’t see a purpose in my suffering. Give me patience and help me to trust that You are always in control. Thank you for You perfect plan for the world. Amen.

Further Reading: Isaiah 43:19, Proverbs 3:5