Can you believe it’s another New Year? This week, I also celebrate a big birthday, one I never thought I’d experience with my serious and incurable illness. So, I’ve been constantly asking our Lord, “Why am I still here on earth? What new thing are You calling me to, as I suffer?” It’s been a lot of asking Him who, what, why, when, where, and how.
Sister in Christ, are you living with suffering too? Has He encouraged you to consider that He placed you in this exact situation for “such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 ESV). It’s our “where” and “when.”
Why? To fulfill His beautiful, sovereign, glorious, kingdom purposes? As we thirst? As we desperately need His help, guidance, and comfort?
Somehow, it’s so much bigger than each of us.
A new thing for suffering sisters in Christ, remembering our “Who”
Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I AM DOING a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I WILL make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert…
Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone…
(“Christ is Made the Sure Foundation,” Neale, J. M., 1861)
to GIVE drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed FOR MYSELF
that they might declare MY praise (Is. 43:18-21 ESV, emphasis added).
Chosen of the Lord and precious,
binding all the church in one;
holy Zion’s help forever,
and her confidence alone!
“Behold, I AM making all things new” (Rev. 21:5 ESV, emphasis added)!
All that dedicated city,
dearly loved of God on high,
in exultant jubilation
pours perpetual melody;
God the One in Three adoring
in glad hymns eternally.
What is Your “new thing” for us, God?
Sister in Christ, we’re both suffering. We both have sure hope for the day when it ceases for us, when we live with Him eternally! But everyone suffers in this fallen world, so what do we all need as it’s happening?
He’s also given all of us spiritual gifts with which to encourage others, to comfort others with our hope in Christ. That’s more “why” and “what.”
So God of all comfort, when we wonder “why” we’re suffering and “what” You’re doing, point us to Christ Jesus in every bit of Your Word. When we wonder “when” our suffering will end, draw us closer to Him in our yearning, for He is our “Who,” as those united with Him.
Into the noisy clamor of globally rampant false teaching about suffering, point us to our Suffering Servant’s tender and compassionate Word to us, specifically speaking Your biblical truth to our pains.
Point us to Your hope-filled promise of “what,” that You are “making all things new” for us as “new creations in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17 ESV). As Your new covenant daughters, suffering sisters in Christ who are already made heirs in the Son Jesus Christ, speak Your comforting and gracious truth to our frightened and hurting hearts, into the lies of this world.
Because this is Your answer to “how.”
When we don’t know “how” we can bear any more, hold us up by thinking about Christ and Your comforting truth of the “new thing” You’re doing through this suffering. All glory be to Christ, amen.
Whatever is true…
whatever is honorable…
But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone (Heb. 2:9 ESV).
whatever is just…
“Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations” (Rev. 15:13 ESV).
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10 ESV).
whatever is pure…
And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure (1 Jn. 3:3 ESV).
whatever is lovely…
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! (Ps. 84:1 ESV)
whatever is commendable…
if there is any excellence…
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence (2 Pet. 1:3 ESV).
if there is anything worthy of praise…
to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6 ESV).
think about these things (Phil. 4:8 ESV).
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Col. 3:2 ESV)…
Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
what they ask of thee to gain,
what they gain from thee forever
with the blessed to retain,
and hereafter in thy glory
evermore with thee to reign!
This week’s playlist gift for my suffering sisters in Christ to pray-sing as we ask Him for His desired “new things” within us
In my case, He’s kept me going through music that echoes the truth of God’s Word. It’s His prayer-full encouragement, gospel hope, and deep love. By His grace, I’m steeped in many thousands of His songs, based on my life’s experiences.
This week’s playlist gift sings to and of Christ and all the new things He has done and is doing in each of us. May our Lord comfort and sustain my suffering sisters in Christ by singing the truth of “who” He is and who we are in Him. Into every one of our suffering questions.
Laud and honor to the Father,
laud and honor to the Son,
laud and honor to the Spirit,
ever Three and ever One,
One in might, and One in glory,
while unending ages run.
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To read more of Lauri’s writing, you can use her devotional Bible study lament prayer journals: Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering, or Near to God: A Devotional Bible Study of God’s Character as We Suffer, or Singing the Gospel to Job: Finding Hope in Suffering. In the Valleys of God’s Love is written for children aged 3-8, a perfect read for grandparents, parents, and children to share together, preparing them for suffering to come.
For Scripture devotionals, calming hymns, and encouragement from Lauri, click here for YouTube channel
For those with chronic illnesses and pain, here’s a music therapy-inspired podcast of Scripture and hymns to help ease symptoms
