Peace, Joy, and Hope in Suffering

Peace, Joy, and Hope in Suffering

Psalms 88:1, 13 O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night. O Lord, I cry out to you. I will keep on pleading day by day.

The author of this Psalm was actually a man who was mentioned several times in Scripture. Heman the Ezrahite was a blessed man, a contemporary of King David. Yet, in spite of his blessed life, it appears that he also suffered deeply. This Psalm is one of the saddest in this Book. Like David, he began with an acknowledgement of God. He calls Him "Lord, God of my salvation". Interestingly, his outlook of what happens after death was one of uncertainty. This is due to the fact that the Old Testament does not give a clear picture of life after death. That is the great difference between suffering in that day and suffering today. Today, because of what Jesus did, and revealed to us about Heaven and Hell, we can have hope, joy, and peace, during times of suffering; even if that suffering involves possible loss of life. In Christ Jesus we can know with all certainty what will happen to us when this life ends in death. If we know Jesus as Savior, the Apostle Paul tells us that to be absent from is to be present with the Lord. Without Jesus, we are told in Luke 16 that the rich man died and opened his eyes in Hell. With Jesus, we have the hope of a physical resurrection, to rule and reign with Jesus, and be with Him forevermore. Without Jesus, there will be a resurrection, but it will be for judgment of sin and further punishment in the Lake of Fire. Regardless of what we have to endure in this life, it does not compare to what Jesus has prepared for us who know Him as Lord and Savior. Although the psalmist was suffering greatly, he knew God would hear his prayers. We have the Holy Spirit in us who speaks for us when we do not know how or what to pray. The bottom line is that no matter what God allows us to suffer, in Christ we can endure it with peace, joy, and hope.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).