Today's thought - 21 October 2026 (Is suffering punishment)

 

How are you, my friend? We are looking at taking up your cross and following Jesus. I am reminded that our Pastor said on Sunday that this is not a negotiation and when we chose to follow Jesus, we chose a different life than what the world wants. Yes, we are supposed to be different, and we are supposed to stand out.

My verse this morning in from Hebrews 5:8, “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered”. Jesus also said in John 13:16, “I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message”.

Jesus suffered a great deal when He was here on earth and through His suffering, He remained obedient to His purpose until the end. We know from Matthew 26:39 that Jesus was in great agony as He awaited His capture. We read here He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

It is not about you or me, my friend. It is all for God and His purpose in our lives. When you say I have decided to follow Jesus you chose to be separated from the world and to step into heavenly places as I have said in our previous posts.

Suffering is not a punishment because Jesus did not hide the terms and conditions of following Him. He made it very clear that we will have tribulation, and we will go through tough times. How do we overcome the battles and how do we deal with the trials and the temptations that we face each day.

I want to take you to two women in Luke 10. We read that Jesus visited Martha and Mary and we read that Mary sat at Jesus’s feet while Martha was running around preparing for the big dinner. She came to Jesus and said that it is unfair that she is doing all the work and Mary is just sitting there. I love Jesus’s answer in Luke 10:41-42, But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Mary was at Jesus’s feet and here the Lord said that this is very important. So, when the noise and the garbage and battles and the tribulation makes you worried and distracted, you will find you rest at the feet of Jesus. In the Word of God. In your prayer and quiet time with Him. By seeking Him above all else and desiring more of Jesus as Mary did. She literally sat at His feet soaking in every word that He spoke. Jesus said Mary discovered it and it will not be taken from her. Do you see, when you find that peace in faith in Jesus it will not be taken from you.

It is that child like faith and a desperate hunger for Him that will pull you through whatever you face today. It is by humbling yourself before Him and seeking Him in all areas of your life that you will have peace that surpasses all understanding.

God made it clear, my friend, in Isaiah 54:17, “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

Have an awesome day, my friend.