For God's Sake

“Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.” (Ps 44:22 AV)

I like the comments by Albert Barnes.  Although he limits the adversity to consequences of worship, the psalm also includes correction.  What is commendable is Mr. Barnes’ observation as to motive.  It is for the sake of the LORD they suffer adversity.  Whether it is persecution, trials, or correction, it is all for God’s sake.  We are blessed by it.  We are matured through it.  We are comforted in it.  But adversity is foremost for God’s sake and not our own.  Which begs the question: are we willing to suffer solely for God’s sake and not our own?  The words above are not a mere statement of fact.  They are words of resignation.  They are words of a willing nation who will endure hardship for God’s sake.  These are not words of defeat.  They are not words of resentment.  They are words of a broken will that have determined to go through all that God has determined that they might please God.  Today, little preaching focuses on suffering.  At least not as a welcomed pursuit.  If anything, we do all that we can to avoid it.  That is understandable.  That is natural.  Very few people are masochists by nature.  We are preservationists.  No one wants to invite hardship.  Yet, the psalmist above states they are willing to do just that if it is for the sake of God’s honor and plan.

Paul quotes this same verse in Romans, chapter eight.  He applies it in the same manner.  He applies it in the context of any adversity which we might face.  He encourages his readers that all things will work together for good.  Even though adversity must come, it comes for His sake.  It comes knowing it will not always be this way.  It comes with purpose.  It comes with grace to endure.  It comes because God is a loving God who knows what He is doing.  Adversity comes because it glorifies God.  He is not a tyrant.  He is not unjust.  He is not a God who enjoys inflicting adversity on the lives of His children for the mere pleasure of affliction.  In fact, what we think might be only negative actually may work to our good.  That is exactly what Paul teaches in Romans.  It all works together for good.

My Father had a way of putting us into difficult situations for our own good.  Whether it was delivering papers in the middle of a western N.Y. winter, learning to survive in the wilderness, or working chores most of our free time, life as a child was rarely fun.  We endured a lot.  Some might look at how we were raised and think that my father was a cruel man.  What he was doing was deliberately placing us in situations of adversity for our own good.  He also benefitted from having children who were hard workers and who stayed out of trouble.  God in not cruel.  He is wise and loving.  What is good for Him is also good for us.  If we are suffering for His sake, there is a perk in doing so.  We might not immediately see it, but it is there.  So, the question we must ask ourselves is if we are willing to suffer adversity for the sake of the LORD, or do we kick against the pricks and seek any way out that comes to mind?  The verse above is one of surrender.  The verse above is one of resolve.  The verse above is a challenge to today’s saint who want comfort and peace.  To suffer is not in our nature.  But as Paul tells us in Philippians chapter two, the mind of Christ regarding sacrifice and suffering must be the same mind we possess.  Are we willing to be slaughtered all the day long for God’s sake?