Our Divine Vocation

Luke 2:34a-35 (ESV) “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

This past Saturday I officiated over a funeral for a 69 year old man who had been battling cancer for the past two years.  In the end he had lost over 80 pounds, could barely walk, and was so sensitive to light and sound that no one could talk to him and all the lights had to be turned off.  For the two years he took chemotherapy and radiation his body slowly began to deteriorate and suffering became a daily occurrence.

The question begs to be asked: Why would God allow such suffering?  This man was no stranger to God.  He had been a believer most of his life, raised his children in a godly way, and was a great example of faithfulness to Him even unto the end.  Why would God allow his own children to suffer in such a terrible way?

Tabletalk from Ligonier Ministries addresses this issue.  Why do the people of God suffer?  As a child of God, suffering may be my divine vocation.  Here is what Tabletalk has to say about this issue.

Scripture is clear that suffering is one of the many vocations - calls - that the Lord gives to His people.  This may be hard for us to receive, but there are many examples in the Bible of people who were called to periods of pain and difficulty.  God allowed Job, for instance, to experience all manner of trouble. . . When Job asked, "Why?" God answers by emphasizing His sovereignty and , consequently, Job's need to trust Him.  Much of our suffering falls into this category - we do not know exactly why the Lord lets it happen, but we must nonetheless trust His goodness.

Christ was the ultimate example of suffering.  What he endured on the cross is unimaginable and more suffering than any one person will experience in a lifetime.  In Luke 2:22-35, Simeon tells Mary of the suffering her baby will endure.  But that suffering will also have an affect on Mary.  This suffering was the vocation of Jesus and Mary.  It was their divine call to endure such tragedy for the sake of God's glory and great name.

Why did my friend have to suffer so much in the end?  It is truly a mystery.  But to the end he continued to praise the name of God and trust in his ways.  Like my friend, we must trust in the goodness of God.  We may never understand the meaning of suffering and tragedy, but we can understand that God is sovereign over all things.  He is in control and in the end his good name will be lifted high.