The answer is NO, He hasn't. The truth is that we live in a fallen world. Since the Garden of Eden, where humans first fell into sin, we have lived in a corrupt world where suffering is a reality. It is because of that fallen-ness that trials and suffering exists. God has promised us that we will suffer. There are some out there that will tell you that if you are a good little boy or girl, God will have favor on you and you'll never suffer. That "health-wealth and prosperity teaching" is false. Suffering is a part of this broken world and we will all encounter it.
But the good news is that we don't suffer alone. As children of Christ, we have the comfort of knowing our Father is with us, to see us through the pain of this world and to comfort us in the next world in Heaven. God will not forsake His children. He will not abandon us.
My favorite parable from the Bible is the parable of the lost sheep. The parable is as fallows:
See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.- Matthew 18:10-14
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.- Luke 15:1-7
The reason I love the imagery of the lost sheep is that first, it shows how much God loves us. He loves us each so much that He will (and did with Christ) sacrifice everything to bring us to Him. More than once I have been that one sheep wandering away from the fold of God. It gives me comfort knowing that God will never stop pursuing me. Second, this parable shows that God rejoices more in one sinner coming to Jesus than in 99 "righteous" people. How wonderful it is that we have a Lord who will leave the 99 to search for 1. I say all of this so that you will know that you are never alone. God is seeking you. Find your comfort and rest in knowing that Jesus has suffered more than we ever could to ensure that one day suffering will only be a memory.
- Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
- James 1:1-5
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:16-19
If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
2 Corinthians 1:5-7
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.- John 16:33
You're Beautiful- Phil Wickham
East to West- Casting Crowns
with all my love,
Ada Grey
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