Job 5:18 NLT “For though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal.”
Our God is not the great genie in the sky who gives us everything we want. The Lord sometimes wounds us, yet He bandages up our wounds. He strikes us, and with the same hands He heals us. Why does God do this? Let’s listen to Paul’s description of what he called his, “thorn in the flesh,” to get some insight:
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 CEV “Of course, I am now referring to the wonderful things I saw. One of Satan’s angels was sent to make me suffer terribly, so that I would not feel too proud. Three times I begged the Lord to make this suffering go away. But he replied, “My gift of undeserved grace is all you need. MY POWER IS STRONGEST WHEN YOU ARE WEAK.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am. Yes, I am glad to be WEAK or INSULTED or MISTREATED or to have TROUBLES and SUFFERINGS, if it is FOR CHRIST. Because WHEN I AM WEAK, I AM STRONG.”😊
The apostle Paul said that an angel of Satan was sent to make him suffer terribly!😳 When Paul begged the Lord three time to make it go away the Lord responded, “My gift of undeserved grace is all you need. MY POWER IS STRONGEST WHEN YOU ARE WEAK.” No, the Lord did not grant Paul’s wish by removing his terrible suffering. Instead He explained to Paul that this painful trial was actually helping him. God was using Paul’s trial to keep him humble; to keep him from becoming puffed up with pride. No, Paul wasn’t going through what he was going through because he had bad luck, or because he was just a messed up human being. God allowed an evil spirit to torment him to keep him from the sin of pride. Do you have a thorn in the flesh? Can we accept the fact that God is not partial, and could allow the same thing that happened to Paul to happen to us (if necessary) to keep us from the sin of pride?🤔
WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN
1 John 5:19 ESV “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”
Hebrews 12:5-11 NLT “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and DON’T GIVE UP WHEN HE CORRECTS YOU. [6] For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” [7] As you endure this divine discipline, remember that GOD IS TREATING YOU AS HIS OWN CHILDREN.😊 Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? [8] If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. [9] Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? [10] For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But GOD’S DISCIPLINE IS ALWAYS GOOD FOR US, so that we might share in his holiness. [11] No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”😊
BROKEN LEGS
I’ve heard stories about a shepherd’s love for wandering sheep. The shepherd would sometimes break the legs of his sheep so that it could not wander, then bandage up it’s wounds. To some this may sound like animal cruelty. But if the shepherd does not do this the wandering sheep would eventually stray away and be eaten by a lion or a wolf. Which would you prefer, to have broken legs, or be eaten by a lion or a wolf?🤔 When we discern why God allows pain and suffering even, “thorns in the flesh,” like Paul’s to befall His children we come to realize His great love for us, and the truth of the next passage:
Romans 8:28 KJV “And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Sometimes we don’t know why certain trials are happening. Just know and trust God; that He makes, “ALL THINGS,” work for our good! Even the stuff that feels bad! Though He strikes us He also heals our wounds. This is done so that we may partake in His holiness for all eternity.😊
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