<p> Destined for Glory: The Meaning of Suffering “Suffering: Why?” III Is Suffering a Trial of Faith? </p><p>I When is Suffering God’s Judgment? Noah Genesis 6:1-22; Hebrews 11:7 Abraham Genesis 12-23; Hebrews 11:8-12 As a result of specific sin: Moses Exodus 2 –Numbers 36; Hebrews 11:24-28 Lot’s Wife Genesis 20:26 David I Samuel 16-II Samuel 5; Hebrews 11:32 Achan and his family Joshua 8:24-26 Gahazi II Kings 5:19-27 “These men were among God’s choicest saints; yet in these Ananias & Sapphira Acts 5:1-10 and countless other cases, God tested and trained His servants through long years of affliction before finally moving to accomplish “Satan delights to make us feel that our suffering is God’s His purposes through them.” punishment for sin. . .Be aware of ever pointing a finger at another’s “Destined for Glory: the Meaning of Suffering” Margaret Clarkson p.81 suffering, calling it judgment for sin. This is God’s responsibility, not ours. The only sin we have to concern ourselves with is our own. I Peter 1:6-7 “If His hand is heavy upon us because of sin, recognize, What has God given us? Why? v.3,4 repent, and confess it to know the mercy of His forgiveness and What is our security? v.5,7 restoring grace.” Why is our faith tried? v.7 The consequences of sin: James 1:2-4,12 How can we face trials with joy? v.2-4 “It is important to distinguish between suffering as judgment What does the testing of faith produce? v.3 for sin and suffering as the consequence of sin. . .sin gives rise to What blessing is ours? Why? v.12 consequences for those who indulge in it. . .If we sin willfully and What does perseverance reveal? v.12 persistently, we invite the consequences that must follow sin, and this will involve suffering. “Destined for Glory: the Meaning of Suffering” Margaret Clarkson p.75 IV Is Suffering for God’s Glory?</p><p>Why was this man born blind? John 9:3 II Is Suffering Chastisement? Hebrews 12:5-11 What is the purpose of Lazarus’ sickness? John 11: 4 When God disciplines us: “Some of God’s saints may be suffering for reasons of this What are possible reactions to discipline? v.5 kind today, although they will not be aware of it. . .Perhaps the What encouragement is given? v.5-7 greatest good that suffering can work for a believer is to increase the What example of discipline have we had? v.9 capacity of his soul for God. Only when we are at the end of our How are earthly & heavenly father contrasted? v.10 own resources will many of us draw upon the wealth God longs to How is discipline described? v.11 give us. As pain forces us to the limits of our own endurance, we What will it produce? Who will benefit? v.11 come to discover God’s strength; as it empties us of ourselves, we “How much God’s children have learned in His school of begin to experience God’s fullness. The greater our need, the suffering! Spiritual truths we could not have come to understand in greater will be our capacity; the greater our capacity, the greater will any other way have been made plain to us in times of pain and be our experience of God. “Destined for Glory: the Meaning of Suffering” Margaret Clarkson p.87 trouble. “Destined for Glory: the Meaning of Suffering” Margaret Clarkson p.80 </p>