Rejoicing in Suffering, a Battle with AML Leukemia

Recently our church in Pflugerville, TX received news that one of our members three year old daughter has AML Leukemia. News like this can be overwhelming and cause a tremendous amount of emotional suffering, let alone the physical suffering which must be battled to beat this nasty disease. 

Psalms 118:24 says,
"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."


That sounds like a great verse for the days things are going well but what about the difficult days? How do you rejoice when we are suffering?

Can ask you a question? What struggle has your faith so rattled you have lost the will or ability to rejoice? Maybe your suffering doesn’t compare to Leukemia, but that really doesn’t matter, does it? 

Other people’s struggles give us perspective but perspective does not give us joy, Jesus gives joy.  

Rejoicing in Suffering
Let's take a quick look in the Bible at the way David, a man after God's own heart, dealt with suffering. 

Psalms 118:1-4
1Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
3Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
4Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

Can you say this outloud? 
HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER

Psalms 118:5-7
5Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
7The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

Notice in the above verses David calls out during his distress and then declares God is on his side. In other words, his life wasn’t easy but he did not take that as a sign God had turned against him. David understood God does not always deliver us from our struggles. Sometimes God empowers us to walk through them.

Later in this chapter David makes another declaration. In the midst of his trials and struggles he lifts his head and declares the sovereignty of God and calls everyone to rejoice and be glad in the midst of the struggle.

Psalms 118:24
This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Freedom to Rejoice in Suffering
David made the choice to throw himself into the sovereignty and goodness of God which released him and gave him the freedom to rejoice and be glad in the midst of his suffering.

What struggle are you going through today?
What has happened or is happening in your life that keeps you from rejoicing?

​Are you able to lift your head declare the sovereignty and goodness of God? Are you able to commit to rejoicing? If you are not able to do this as God for his strength and He will give it to you. Don’t let the world or the devil steal your joy. God is on your side. 

You can listen to the full audio sermon on this topic on the Podcast from The Beat Church, in Pflugerville, TX.

Connect for Prayer 
If you live in the Pflugerville, Hutto, Round Rock, Manor, Taylor, or surrounding areas in North Austin you can reach our Pastor by sending an email to [email protected].

 

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