1. SUFFFICIENCY & SAFETY (one side of the coin)

   1. SUFFICIENCY

      Jesus Christ taught us, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (‘his’ = God the Father, ’these things’ = food, drink, clothing).

      Paul informs the Christians in Philippi: “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

   2. SAFETY

      “The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7,8

      (I claim this promise every time I drive the car or am driven!)

      Psalm 91 reminds us that God is our refuge and that no harm will befall us if we make the Most High our dwelling.

      Countless millions of Christians have claimed and received such promises from God who is our Provider and our Protector.

      However there is another side to the coin which is not so comforting and therefore it is not so often taught in our local churches.

2. SUFFERING (The other side of the coin)

   1. POVERTY

      This same Jesus Christ told his disciples: “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me,” John 12:8.

      Paul, referring to the Christian leaders in Jerusalem, writes: “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” Galatians 2:10

      There are over 30 references to the poor in the New Testament. Today “In the Asian, African and Latin American countries, well over 500 million people are living in what the World Bank has called ‘absolute poverty’”.

   2. FAMINES

      Jesus Christ foretold that there will be ‘famines in various places’, see Mark 13:8.

      Today “Every year 15 million die of hunger (6 million under the age of 5). Every 3.6 seconds someone dies of hunger.”

   3. WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS

      Jesus Christ has warned us: “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,” Mark 13:7-8

      Since 2003 it is estimated that 300,000 people may have died in Darfur. A survey made in 2007 suggested that up to 1.2 million people have died in the Iraqi conflict. Of course these figures do not include those who have been wounded or forced to leave their country and become refugees.

   4. EARTHQUAKES (NATURAL DISASTERS)

      Jesus Christ continued his warning when he said: “There will be earthquakes in various places and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” Mark 13:8

      It is possible that Roman 8:22 may be applicable to natural disasters, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

      The earthquake in Sichuan, China and cyclone Nargis in Myanmar are the latest examples of natural disasters.

   5. PERSECUTION

      Towards the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus Christ said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first… Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master’, if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:18 & 20

      For an update on present day persecution visit www.barnabasfund.org and www.opendoors.org.

3. CONCLUSION

   1. DISEASE, SICKNESS, DISABILITY, DEATH, MOURNING

      This vast area of suffering is not dealt with in this paper.

   2. GOD’S MESSAGE TO HIS CHILDREN WHO ARE SUFFERING

      The Bible contains very many words of comfort and encouragement for those who are suffering. Here I will mention three of these. They are self-explanatory:

      1. “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid, what can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6
      2. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13
      3. “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18

   3. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING

      This cannot be dealt with in detail but they may include:

      1. PRAYING FOR THEM (mentioning some by name)
      2. SERVING THEM (either directly or indirectly)
      3. ADVOCATING FOR THEM
      4. GIVING TO THEM (or to those who are serving them)

   4. SUFFERING AND THE END TIMES

      POVERTY, FAMINES, WARS, EARTHQUAKES, PERSECUTION – all these tragedies have been taking place since the beginning of ‘the last days’ which commenced on the day of Pentecost. (Peter, in his message quoted from the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” Acts 2:16-17). They serve to remind us of the Lord’s second coming and of our need to be prepared for his return.

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