God Appoints Suffering For His Name’s Sake

Let’s reflect on this seeming paradox. Commonly called “The Hall of Faith”, Hebrews 11 is a chapter of triumph and inspiration. Those who, at the dictate of the Holy Spirit Himself, have been deemed most faithful are recorded in this chapter as models to be observed, and yet the chapter concludes with words such as: “tortured”, “mockings”, “scourgings”, “imprisonment”, “stoned”, “sawn in two”, “tempted”, “slain with the sword”, “destitute”, “afflicted” and “tormented”. By faith, the walls of Jericho came down for the Lord’s own name’s sake. And, as a result of faithfulness, Isaiah was sawed in two, likewise, for the Lord’s own name’s sake. We must take the one with the other.

It has been said that if one lives long enough they will bleed. In this sense, both the sun and the rain come upon the just and the unjust. But, we are not Deists. Ours is not a God inactive or inattentive. He is intimately involved in our world and even in our personal suffering. Paul was appointed suffering for the sake of God’s own name which also had Paul’s good in mind. It is no different with any of us. It was not the wrath of God which caused Paul to be beaten, stoned or imprisoned anymore than it was God’s wrath that His faithful servant Job was tortured and oppressed by Satan. God is glorified when His saints suffer well and we are the better when tribulation comes, “knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3) So Paul admonishes us to “glory in tribulations”.

There may be manifold peripheral reasons for the suffering of the faithful, but all can be ultimately linked to one phrase: “for My name’s sake.” Have you suffered through false accusations? It is for His name’s sake. Have you become sick even to the point of death? It is for His name’s sake. Have you unexpectedly lost a loved one? It is for His name’s sake. Have you been “destitute”, “afflicted” or “tormented”? Yes, it is for His name’s sake. God is not sadistic by any means, but appoints adversity that He might get glory for Himself and strengthen your faith; increasing your dependence upon Him. I can boldly admonish you by the Holy Spirit to,

take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when [you are] weak, then [you are] strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

For whose sake? “For Christ’s sake”. We must be content, yes, well pleased to say, in truth, “…not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) Was not Jesus’ suffering appointed for Him? Did He not count it joy despite His soul being “exceedingly sorrowful, even to death”? Yes, He counted it joy:

who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2)

We look not to ourselves, nor the suffering, but to Christ. As the old hymn goes, “whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, ‘it is well; it is well with my soul.'” Even as Jesus saw past the immediate suffering to the Joy that would come of it, we must rest in knowing that God appoints our suffering for His own name’s sake. This only happens when we have a true interest in the glory and majesty of God; in His name being magnified in all the earth. And if we truly desire His will to be done in and through us, come what will, we can have joy in the suffering itself, knowing that the Lord is being glorified through us as His ambassadors. For some, this may be very difficult to come to terms with because of a particularly traumatizing experience. In fact, this is very likely the most common objection to Christianity and belief in God in general. The problem of a good God allowing suffering for some is insurmountable. But this must be viewed in a fuller context, never in the vacuum of mere subjectivity.

There has only yet ever been One innocent Person. His name is Jesus. He and He alone was perfect and sinless. He and He alone deserved no evil to befall Him. Anyone else born of women has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, and can only be said to have rightly earned God’s eternal wrath as a result. Yes, the greatest wonder of all is not that people suffer evils in this world, but that any at all are allowed to experience pleasure or peace for even a moment. We largely view things from the erroneous perspective that we deserve good things. Let God’s wisdom correct us to see that we deserve nothing but hell, and any experience of pleasure or tranquility is already an act of mercy from the Lord to us. There is not a man living who has not incurred God’s judgment by his own nature, yet, the Perfect, Innocent, Jesus afforded mercy to us through His own blood. When we gain a proper perspective of our sinful and rebellious nature, the only wonder should be that we do not suffer constantly, rather than that we may suffer sometimes. The only thing we are owed is adversity and evil and yet God in His infinite mercy has paved the way for eternal peace through the Prince of Peace. And even the suffering of Christians in this earth has the end of His glory and their good. It is never meaningless, but according to His Providence, he works, “all things… together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Grasp this thought! Seriously think on it, you who call yourself a Christian,

For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8)

No sooner has the sun risen than the dark comes. No sooner has summer past than winter is at the door. One day we celebrate birth and the next we mourn death. These things are set, ultimately for His name’s sake. Many years before-hand, Jesus effectively told Peter how He would die. Some would think it a luxury to know, others a curse. Nevertheless, at the end of John’s gospel (John 21:18-19) we read,