Psalm 22:12-18 (NIV): Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
Many Christians these days have a theology like that of Job’s friends: If God loves them, nothing bad will ever happen to them; and, if anything bad happens, that means that they must have sinned, and sinned badly. This theology, widely taught, has destroyed the faith of many who are innocent, but who undergo suffering and persecution. But that theology does not come from God’s word. For a perfect case in point, just look at Jesus. More harm befell Him in 24 hours than most people experience in a lifetime, yet He was totally blameless. David was enabled to accurately portray His terrible suffering, the suffering of one who was innocent, yet His suffering was allowed, even planned, by God. Jesus alerted His followers to the fact that the world would hate them as it hated Him (John 15:18-16:14), and that they would experience trouble in this world (John 16:33), a prophecy which has been fulfilled in God’s people all through the ages. Rather than a theology of peace and plenty, the Bible’s theology for God’s people is one of productive suffering – God’s people will be mistreated and suffer wrong and harm from the world, but it is for a purpose: so that they will be powerful witnesses to those persecuting them, as well as to those looking on. When suffering comes, and it will come, don’t back away, or think that things are somehow amiss in you or in God. Embrace the suffering as the first disciples did (Acts 5:41), cling to God, and push forward for the kingdom.
Father, thank You for this encouragement. I do see and hear this flawed theology all around me. Thank You for setting it straight. Help us all to cling more tightly to You in times of trouble, so that we CAN be powerful witnesses to Your love and grace, even to those who mistreat us. Amen!