The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / PAIN

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 170 of 365 PAIN Pain in life is a universal experience - it falls on the righteous and the unrighteous. People often search for a reason behind trials and tragedies, but answers are elusive since humans cannot fully know the purposes of God. The Bible suggests that in some instances, pain might be punishment for specific sins, a test of faith, fatherly discipline or a means to drive people to repentance. Usually clear meaning is absent, especially in situations of ongoing suffering. From the pit of pain, the psalmist reached for confidence in God - the one who had been his faithful King for a long time (v. 12). He knew of God's capabilities, yet wondered when relief would come. Jesus frequently stepped into people's lives during a point of great pain. He performed a miracle for a grieving mother at a funeral (Lk 7:13 - 15). He touched and healed a man with leprosy (Mt 8:2 - 3). He changed the lives of a bleeding woman and a worried father over the course of just a few minutes (Mk 5:22 - 42). Jesus is full of compassion for the pain caused by this world. He is eager for people to know that he cares deeply about their trouble. Jesus is a dependable source of comfort in the face of suffering (2Co 1:3 - 6). Jesus, I pray for those who are in pain right now. I pray that you would work through that pain so you may be glorified. Please give me compassion for those who suffer, and show me how to help them in practical, real ways. Amen. Psalms 74:4-12 NASB 4 Your adversaries have roared in the midst of Your meeting place; They have set up their own standards for signs. 5 It seems as if one had lifted up His axe in a forest of trees. 6 And now all its carved work They smash with hatchet and hammers. 7 They have burned Your sanctuary to the ground; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name. 8 They said in their heart, "Let us completely subdue them." They have burned all the meeting places of God in the land. 9 We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet, Nor is there any among us who knows how long. 10 How long, O God, will the adversary revile, And the enemy spurn Your name forever? 11Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? From within Your bosom, destroy them! 12 Yet God is my king from of old, 2 Corinthians 1:3-6 NASB 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;