Suffering is prime time for our enemy to tempt us to sin. We’re tempted to doubt what God says about Himself in His Word. If we’re suffering, how can God be good?
We’re tempted to doubt the gospel is true…are we really saved? If we’re suffering, how could He love us? How could God be “for us?”
Satan tempts us to think nothing could ever feel better, so life is hopeless. Or that true, mature, faithful believers will not suffer, at least not as much as Job. Or that our suffering is “worse” than everyone else’s. Or that there is no purpose to our suffering.
Lies of the father of lies.
No, God tells us not to:
“be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you
partners with Christ in his suffering,
so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world” (1 Pet. 4:12-13 NLT).
Let’s both take a second to ponder this truth to fight the tempter’s lies! We need God’s power and strength to endure long and difficult suffering, don’t we?
Just as Jesus did when He was tempted throughout His earthly life.
Beloved in Christ, we are sharing Christ’s sufferings.
In Christ, God has given us all the power we need to resist, when Satan tempts us
We must fight temptation as Jesus did, knowing that God provides the way out of temptation so we can bear it (1 Cor. 10:13).
How?
With Jesus’ help, through the Holy Spirit within us!
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might (Eph. 6:10 ESV).
Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget
the wormwood and the gall…
go, spread your trophies at his feet,
And crown Him Lord of all!
(“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” Perronet, E., 1780)
All hail the power of Jesus’ name, God’s unchanging character, when Satan tempts us
Jesus gives us a clue about how to dismiss Satan’s temptations. When Satan makes us think wrongly about God, we simply worship God instead!
What does God say about Himself in His Word?
Who alone do we serve as those who belong to Jesus Christ?
Who is right now saving and sanctifying us as He prepares us for eternal life with Him, in His gracious and steadfast love?
Therefore, in this very way…
Who is always “for us?”
And Who has such complete power and reigning authority over Satan that the enemy is nothing more than a puppy on His leash? (Job 41:5)
When Satan tempts us, let’s worship God!
Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan!
For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only
shall you serve.’” (Mt. 4:10 ESV).
Check out Job 1 and 2, Luke 22:31, or Revelation 2:10. Satan has to ask God for permission! He has no power over Jesus!
And Who is within us now giving us His power to resist the devil’s temptations? Hallelujah!
Let ev’ry kindred, ev’ry tribe,
on this terrestrial ball,
to him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!
“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:10 ESV)
Joining the everlasting song of praise, to resist the devil and temptation to sin!
Rejoice that your names are written in heaven (Lk. 10:20 ESV)…
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (Col. 1:12 ESV).
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling
and to present you blameless
before the presence of his glory with great joy,
to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority,
before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 24-25)!
O that with yonder sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
we’ll join the everlasting song
And crown Him Lord of all!
Material adapted from Singing the Gospel to Job: Finding Hope in Suffering, Lauri A. Hogle, © 2022
Resources for suffering Christian women
If you’re new here and would like even more encouragement, many resources are below for you. As a chronic illness and pain sufferer for over 30 years, I’m in the daily need to resist temptation too, as we all are!
So, this week’s playlist gift accompanies this week’s Scriptures…in worship of the One who is always “for us” as those who trust in Christ Jesus for salvation.
When Satan tempts us, let’s not leave our first love (Rev. 2:1-7) as we suffer, but worship Him, praising God for the gospel, the power of God for salvation in Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16). Until we see Jesus and crown Him Lord of all! All glory to God alone!
For weekly prayer and playlist of Scriptural songs to sing, with access to resource library, sign up here:
To hear Scripture devotional with calming hymn playing, click here for YouTube podcast.
Here is a music-therapy-inspired podcast of only Scripture and music, helping with illness and pain symptoms
Devotional Bible study prayer journals, available on Amazon. Click pictures for details.
