The Crucible of Suffering

04.20.09

J.A. Matteson

"For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." Hebrews 2:18

The kindness of God has placed you in the crucible of suffering so that your faith may be proven genuine, rendering you of greater use to the Savior. The accuser taunts you into erroneously presuming that you have sinned and are suffering the just recompense for your folly; you have found providence unnerving, pushed to the limits of human frailty, wondering how much longer you can endure it; you have been enticed by the evil one to sin, nudged to acquiesce to the hellish siren call, in our spirit battling the enemy of your soul, determined to remain steadfast in obedience to the Lord who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Consider it normal as a pilgrim that you find yourself in the crucible of suffering. To be put to the test is a gift from God as it furthers your sanctification in grace, and the Lord has infinitely creative ways to prove your confession of Jesus Christ. The test may come as a providential calamity to measure your response. The physicians report is dire, timelines are presented, and you are encouraged to put your affairs in order; or the news comes unexpectedly that a loved one has been suddenly taken out of the world; or your material possessions and finances have evaporated through unforeseen providences, catching you unawares; or an inordinate amount of time has passed and you feel abandoned by God with regard to your petition and determine it expedient to take matters into your own hands rather than continuing to wait upon the Lord; or the test has come as a directive from the Lord, evaluating your inclination to trust and obey when you do not understand or are otherwise predisposed to disagree.

The hands of the Potter carefully shape the clay with a specific outcome in mind—pressing and pulling—to fashion it into a vessel of honor, useful to the One whose clay it is. Abraham passed the test of familial affection before God by offering up Isaac. Jonah failed the test of obedience, refusing to preach repentance to Nineveh, fleeing to Tarshish, and revealing a heart of racial hatred. The crucible may also be an enticement from Satan which the Lord allows, where your character is put to the severest test, a protracted affliction to the breaking point. The adversary employs bait specifically engineered to trick you, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). The man after God’s own heart, King David, succumbed to the test of lust. Judas sold his soul for a mere thirty pieces of silver failing the test of a genuine repentance unto salvation. King Solomon stumbled at the behest of his many pagan wives failing the test of idolatry; King Uzziah failed the test of entitlement and pride and finished his course a leper afflicted by God.

Or perhaps you desire the glory of men, aching for human approval, and as a result manifest a heart that is ashamed of the Gospel, remaining silent when you should speak up, weighing your words carefully so as not to risk offending fleshly sensibilities, rather than risking a bold proclamation of the Word of Truth which would bring correction, exhortation, and life. Perhaps the test of obedience comes in the guise of a physical need, “The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions” (Ex. 16:4); or maybe it deals squarely with your emotions, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13); or perhaps you have considered your life and reputation of more value than obedience to Jesus Christ, subtly or outright denying Him, “But he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!" (Mk. 14:71).

Jesus Christ lived in the crucible of suffering and experienced every conceivable temptation imaginable, yet without sin, passing every test perfectly. He is, therefore, your perfect high priest and is even now interceding on your behalf before the Father so that your faith should not fail. Never once in word, thought or deed did Jesus Christ disobey His Father, “…for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him" (Jn. 8:29). As high priestly intercessor He is also your model to godly living, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). Beloved, while in the midst of the crucible of suffering Jesus bids you, “Come unto Me."

Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)