Devotional
The Road of Suffering By Dr. David L. Sampson
Ephesians 2:7
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
Many of us have been down the road of suffering. It is a road which, for some, seems to never end. The constant unexpected curves and turns leave many in a seat of despair and bewilderment. Scores of happy and joyous travelers along life’s highways have found themselves surprisingly in the ditches of despair asking – Why? Sometimes the pain of unanswered questions hurt more than the tragedy itself. We ask, “Why did this have to happen to me? Does God care about what is going on in my life? Why do I feel so alone?”
Does this sound familiar? Maybe this is you! Are you one of life’s many travelers who has found yourself in a ditch of despair? As I write, I am reminded of some dear people back in Indiana. They lived life with a smile! You would always find them helping people, serving in the church and loving their friends and family. Dorla Wilburn was a fine Christian lady. She served her Lord by being an example to those in her church, community, and family. I will never forget the day I learned that Dorla had to lose her leg because of diabetes. I remember watching the tears flow down the faces of her family as they watched their Mother cry as she began her journey down the road of suffering with God. I asked myself the question, “WHY?” Why is God allowing this to happen? It wasn’t until after dear Mrs.
Wilburn passed into eternity with the Lord, that God showed me something of Himself in the Scriptures. It leaped off the pages of the Bible and into my heart. “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7)
I realized that one day God would, by His grace, and in His kindness, show His exceeding riches towards Dorla by giving her a new body. I’m sure when Dorla walks the street of gold in heaven with her family again, there will be unceasing praise to God from her because of God’s riches. Paul said in Romans 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” I know it will be hard on the road of suffering. But there is hope when we have a personal relationship with the God of Heaven. Remember, “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”(Psalm 30:5)
Let me end this section with some thought provoking words from John Haggai. He writes,
“Your pain has a purpose. I can’t tell you what that purpose is- that is something you will discover in your own walk with God. It may be a marvelous discovery; a grace…once received makes you glad you went down the road of suffering with God at your side.”
[John Haggai]
