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HOW TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD: PAIN
- Is a gift? (Martin Pistorius collage and quote; Job 1:20-22; Job 7:3; John 9:1-3; Matthew 13:24-28)
- Cannot be ignored (Jeremiah 33:10-11; Jeremiah 13:17)
- Helps us grow (Isaiah 53:3; John 11:35; Luke 19:41-42; Hebrews 5:7; Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:22,24,27,30,31; Quote; Romans 8:35,37; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Quote; Growing Pains; How to Hear God Through Pain; Orca Pic; Still In Pain?; Matthew 8:3 / Jesus Touches Leper Pic)
Martin Pistorius
For me, God is always there. A constant companion. I will tell people that there is always hope no matter how small.
Job 1:20-22
20 Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. 21 He said, "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!" 22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
Job 7:3
3 I, too, have been assigned months of futility, long and weary nights of misery.
John 9:1-3
1 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 "Rabbi," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?" 3 "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
Matthew 13:24-28
24 Here is another story Jesus told: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. 27 "The farmer's workers went to him and said, 'Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?' 28 "'An enemy has done this!'
Jeremiah 33:10-11 (Scripture)
10 This is what the LORD says: You have said, 'This is a desolate land where people and animals have all disappeared.' Yet in the empty streets of Jerusalem and Judah's other towns, there will be heard once more 11 the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD. They will sing, 'Give thanks to the LORD of Heaven's Armies, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever!' 'For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the LORD.'
Jeremiah 13:17
17 And if you still refuse to listen, I will weep alone because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD's flock will be led away into exile.
Isaiah 53:3
3 He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
John 11:35
35 Jesus wept.
Luke 19:41-42
41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 "How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late."
Hebrews 5:7
7 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears.
Matthew 27:46
46 At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
Psalm 22:1,22,24,27,30,31
1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? 22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people. 24 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. 27 The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. 30 Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. 31 His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.
Mark Batterson
When Jesus was on the cross, he felt farthest from the heavenly Father (cf.Matthew 27:46), yet that is when he was closest to accomplishing God’s purposes. We shouldn’t be deceived. When it seems as if God is letting us down, He is setting us up for something that may be beyond our ability to comprehend at the present moment. - Whisper, p.176
Romans 8:35,37
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
C.S. Lewis
God whispers to us in our pleasures...but shouts in our pain. - The Problem of Pain, p.92
Growing Pains
- Job lost everything (Job 1:20-22; 7:3 42:12)
- Sarah wrestled with infertility (Genesis 11:30; 18:12)
- Moses was a fugitive for forty years (Acts 7:23-30)
- David's father-in-law tried to kill him (1 Samuel 19:9)
- Jeremiah wept (Jeremiah 13:17)
- Blind Man from Birth (John 9:1-3)
- Weeds From the Enemy (Matthew 13:24-28)
- Mary Magdalene was demon possessed (Luke 8:2)
- Peter denied Jesus with a curse (Matthew 26:74-75)
- Jesus wept (John 11:35; Luke 19:41-42; Hebrews 5:7)
- Paul's "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
How to Hear God Through Pain
- Sing With God (Psalm 32:7; Zephaniah 3:17)
- Sing To God (Acts 16:25; Philippians 4:4)
- Pray With God (Romans 8:26; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1b)
- Pray To God (Psalm 5:1; Psalm 17:8)
- Trust God (Isaiah 49:25; Matthew 8:3)
Psalm 32:7
7 For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
Zephaniah 3:17
17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Acts 16:25
25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
Philippians 4:4 (NKJV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Romans 8:26
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Hebrews 7:25
25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
1 John 2:1b
1b We have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
Psalm 5:1
1 O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning.
Psalm 17:8 (NKJV)
Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings.
Isaiah 49:25 (NKJV)
For I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.
Orca Mother Carrying Dead Calf Pic
Still In Pain?
Guilt issues are a misunderstanding of God's grace
Control issues are a misunderstanding of God's sovereignty
Anger issues are a misunderstanding of God's mercy
Pride issues are a misunderstanding of God's greatness
Trust issues are a misunderstanding of God's goodness
- Adapted from Mark Batterson, Whisper, p.184
Matthew 8:3 (Leper Pic)
3 Jesus reached out and touched him.