Hebrews 11:9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
Many times, in great stories of travel that a character must go on include a scene where a wizard, a good witch or some character of great wisdom gives the character a gift to use on the journey. Many times, the gift is strange and odd because the character isn’t quite sure what the purpose of the gift is. The character asks, “What is this for?”
The gift may seem normal, but the giver of the gift possesses some great wisdom that is yet to be revealed to the receiver of the gift. As the story unfolds the strange gift becomes of utmost importance.
One can think of Dorothy in Wizard of Oz when she is given the ruby slippers. Only later in the movie does she realize their magic powers.
In Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the children are given tools. Some of the tools are “to be used in time of greatest need.” Meaning the dagger and the potion given to the girls must not be regular tools, but only for a special reason. Odd gifts indeed because the purpose isn’t exactly clear at the time of giving.
Even the major battle at Troy when the Greeks tried to enter the city they did so by the presence of an odd gift from the gods, the Trojan Horse. They didn’t know what it was but received it anyway thinking it was for good and its purpose will be known. This is what makes the story of the Trojan Horse so entertaining, the usual case of a strange gift for someone’s good turns out to be a tragedy.
Does God give us odd gifts? Absolutely! But God’s gifts are always for our good.
St. Paul in Philippians 1:29 says, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake…” “granted to you” is gift language. Not only is our faith given to us, but suffering is also a gift! That is strange…
In Hebrews 11, the author speaks of the strangeness of us Christians living by faith and how this is not how life is normally lived from the perspective of worldly wisdom. Usually, we demand proof. However, in Heb. 11 we are taught how the saints of old have always lived by faith. That we who are Christians are strange because this fallen world is not our home. We are pilgrims in a strange place. We are traveling to our normal home.
God though in his mercy sends us gifts to remind us of our true identity in him. One strange gift is suffering. Suffering is strange because our sinful nature believes that you get what you work for. If you are a relatively good person God will reward you. The reward is an easy life. No suffering. This is not how God deals with us though. In Heb. 13 we are told that God disciples those he loves.
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
So, when we are going through a difficult time in life it may seem hard and unfair at the time it is happening, God’s word encourages us by reminding us what discipline and suffering is all about. Growing the fruits of repentance and our faith. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
The first gift of discipline, or suffering for a purpose given by God, is strange at first. This is a good thing because it points us to stop looking at ourselves and realize we need help. We need a savior.
Suffering teaches us to forsake our own efforts and to call upon Christ to rescue us, “Hosanna!” Peter cried out when sinking, “Lord save me!”
This is a strange gift to give but only if we first think we don’t need saving even from ourselves.
So as the story of your life unfolds, sometimes life may seem unfair. You may face sickness or sadness that you had no obvious part in. Take heart that God knows exactly what you are facing. Psalm 13 is helpful at these times,
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
– When the psalmist looks to his own heart he is not living by faith! Then he sees his enemies as victorious. Trust in Jesus.
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
– When we trust and look to Jesus what is the result? The strange gift of suffering leads to rejoicing.
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Notice how it isn’t until great suffering comes that we are led to repentance by the Holy Spirit. Suffering is a strange gift, but God is not afraid to give it. This strangeness is foundational to faith and the cross of Christ. How strange the love God has for us sinners! That while we were enemies Christ died for us, strange indeed! That is the second gift of suffering, that it leads us to Christ and his endurance for our sake. For us to be sure that no matter what Christ will use all for our good.
So, as we begin to look forward to a new school year of teaching and being instructed in God’s word, learn what it means to see by faith that suffering is a gift because it leads us to forsake ourselves and trust Christ. Be a student of God’s word with your fellow pilgrims, fellow travelers, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
See you Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Ottmers