Psalm 94:14: For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.
Jesus tells us to take His yoke because His burden is light. He’s telling us we can trust His Lordship – His leading – because following and obeying Him isn’t difficult because of the power of His presence, protection, and provision is more than enough to keep us safe. It’s an awesome assurance, and it is very true. But what about the tough times? – The painful times? – The lonely times? In this fallen world – either through our own sin or sins committed against us, there are times when we don’t feel anything of Jesus’ assured light burden of His yoke. What we feel is as if there isn’t any yoke at all – that He’s checked out or left us. In our pain, we end up asking, ‘Are You there, Lord?’
Sometimes, well-meaning people scrambling to offer comfort tell those of us who are suffering to “Just trust the Lord.” This kind of “encouragement” is, in essence, telling us to ignore the consequences because God is in control. The reality is, though, we are human, so ignoring the impact of our circumstances is impossible. Therefore, frankly, this type of “encouragement” is not really helpful when we’re in pain. We wonder if they would be accepting such encouragement if they were experiencing what we are experiencing. We’re looking for relief now!
We can’t and shouldn’t ignore the pain of our circumstances. If the Lord is in control – and He is – then He is either the author of them or He is permitting them. A lot of Christians have a problem with the idea God initiates painful circumstances, much less permits or allows them. Why? We only have to go to the Cross to see that if God the Father is willing to intentionally send His beloved, perfect, and only Son to come to a sin-filled world and be tortured and crucified, then why would we think He won’t bring painful times in our lives? We are joint heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17), so God sees us as part of His family. What He is willing to do to one Member of the family, He’s willing to do to another.
We can’t ignore our circumstances, so we should ask the Lord why they are happening. The pain that’s produced motivates us to challenge our understanding of Him. The devil will scream in our ear either, “There is no God” or “He’s abandoned you” hoping to prey on our weakness and our suffering. Today’s verse reminds us those are lies. God does not cast off or forsake us. In pain, our response might be, ‘That’s all fine and dandy, but where’s the relief???’
God is good, and God is love. Therefore, everything He does or allows is rooted in a good and a loving purpose. That truth forces the question, ‘For what reason are You allowing me to suffer, Lord?’ Maybe a better question to ask is, ‘How are You going to demonstrate Your Lordship – Your light burden of Your yoke in this mess?’ God loves to reveal Himself in strength and victory because He gets glory. That may sound self-serving, but that’s not the case when His glory is for our benefit.
We must consider the possibility that God is bringing or allowing this affliction into our life to reveal Himself to us as our God in a more powerful and faith-confirming way. That’s a tough place to go when we’re hurting, but what if it’s true? Moreover, what do we have to lose? In the middle of the storm of pain, it is virtually impossible to see the possibility of good in a tragedy. Imagine what was going through the minds of the disciples and Mary when Jesus was crucified? How could they imagine any good coming from what happened to Him? In time, though, we now know it was the greatest display of God revealing His goodness and love.
Are you in pain? The Lord knows it and takes no joy in it, but He is likely seeking to reveal Himself in a new way that is custom designed to bring you healing that extends far beyond the immediate pain you’re in at the moment. If you take the chance to believe, you will find in time that the heavy burden you’re carrying right now is one Jesus is ready to exchange for His light one and lead you down a path with His protection, provision, and love. Are you willing to believe? What have you got to lose?