Oct. 06, 2024

Suffering of the Soul

Primary Text:  Psalm 42                     

Last Teaching:  Familiar With Suffering

1)  Suffer Many Things

Matthew 16:21:  From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.  

Isaiah 53:3-5:  He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

DQ 1)  Why did Jesus have to suffer so much?

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This Week’s Teaching:

1)  Predestined for Glory

Romans 8:18–19:  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 

Romans 8:28–30:  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 

DQ 1)  What does it mean to be “conformed to the likeness” of Jesus?

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2)  Biblical Suffering

Genesis 50:18–20:  His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.  But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?   You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Job 42:1–6:  Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.  You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’  Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.  You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’  My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.  Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

DQ 2)  What are possible reasons why God allows suffering in the lives of His followers?

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3)  Longing of the Soul

Psalm 42:1-3, 6-7, 9-10:  As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God?  My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”…  My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.  Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me….  I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me?  Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?”  My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

 DQ 3)  Is your soul longing for nourishment and refreshment from God?  Why?

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DQ 4)  Is hardship controlling and defeating you?  Why?

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