Necessity of Suffering

Necessity of Suffering

II Chronicles 12:1-8
2Ch 12:1 And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.
2Ch 12:2 And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,
2Ch 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.
2Ch 12:4 And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
2Ch 12:5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.
2Ch 12:6 Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.
2Ch 12:7 And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
2Ch 12:8 Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

Discussion Questions

1. In verse 1, what 3 things did Rehoboam do?
Established the kingdom, strengthened himself, forsook the law of the LORD. When we establish our own kingdom and find strength in ourselves, most often we forget the goodness of God and we forsake HIS ways to follow our ways.

2. Why did Shishak come against Jerusalem?
Because they forsook the Law of the LORD. Shishak, the king of Egypt, was the instrument God used to afflict His own people. YES!! GOD did it!!!


3. What was God’s purpose in allowing Shishak to attack Jerusalem?
(v8) So that Rehoboam and all of Judah would know His service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. God wants us to realize what He offers in comparison to the world. The yoke of the world is heavy–always trying to please everyone, always trying to fit into the status quo, always trying to "compete with the Jones" if you will–man is not easy to please. Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden light (Matt 11: 28-30).

4. How was God’s wrath diverted from Jerusalem?
(vv6-7) Because they humbled themselves before the LORD. We have to come to the realization that we need the strength of the LORD; that we are men who can only achieve things in our capacity. We need to depend on the mind of Christ to help us establish things and understand things. Things that we would never even be able to conceive in our minds without Him revealing them to us. Jesus said without Him we could do nothing (John 15:5).

I Corinthians 11:31-32
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the best way to avoid chastisement from God?
If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. We need to examine ourselves to see if we are outside the parameters of God’s Word and, if we are, we need to take whatever means are necessary to try to step back within those boundaries. I’ve found that this always consists of humbling ourselves before God and acknowledging our shortcomings–realizing that we cannot walk by our own strength.

2. Why does God chasten us?
So we will not be condemned with the world!! God causes us to go through things in order to bring us to a place of realization and revelation–realization of who we are and revelation of who Jesus is. He’s going to perfect us, no matter what He has to do to accomplish it. If we don’t judge ourselves, God will judge us. If we belong to Him, He will weigh us in the balances; and if we are found lacking, some adjustments are going to have to be made. Do it LORD!! No matter what it takes!!

Conclusion

Last week in our study, we discussed the fact that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). As creatures of habit and comfort, we expect things in life to go exactly how we want and when we want it. Just like Rehoboam, many times we are trying to establish our kingdom and trying to find our own strength. Instead, we should be trying to establish God’s Kingdom and finding our strength in Christ. When we lean on our own understanding and our own strength, we will always fall short in the will of God. Hebrews 5:7-9 says this concerning Jesus:

Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Now if Jesus had to learn obedience through the things which He suffered, how much more do we need to be brought under the subjection of trials for the perfecting of our faith? (James 1:2-4 and 1 Peter 1:6-7). Jesus said, "In this world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). That’s a promise we aren’t always willing to hold onto. If our master had to endure things which were contrary to what His flesh desired, we should be comforted in our trials, knowing that every gift from God is good and that every gift from God is perfect–even when we don’t think so.

I Peter 2:19-25
1Pe 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.