Scripture:
As a referential scripture, we will use
Psalms 119:50:
“This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
Theme:
Ode to Suffering
Introduction:
- A song by Bill Withers written in the late 70s says, “I want to spread the news. If it feels this good gettin’ used, just keep on using me until you use me up!” The song relays the reaction of a man getting used by a woman for emotional and financial reasons. However, when he looks back over the situation he resolves that the good feelings he experiences while getting used outweighs the humiliation of being used in the first place. Therefore, since the good feelings are directly attributed to getting used, the writer wants to just be used until he is totally used up. What was a bad thing is now a good thing!
As David said in the Psalm, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
- To be used is defined as one’s resources being consumed to the point of depletion. It is one thing to be ACCESSED…or to just be a resource that has been borrowed temporarily. But it is another thing to be USED…or to be a resource that has been employed and not replaced when things are over. To be used implies linear gratification or only one person getting something from it, as opposed to bilateral gratification which is when everybody gets something good from it. As David said in the Psalm, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
- For the Christian, getting used is an unwanted by-product of the Christian experience:
- Enemies
- Take advantage of the Christian, non-violent, stance
- Save all “good deeds” to be done by the Christians
- Taking frustration/anger/malice/resentment out on the innocent Christian who happens to be present
- Friends
- Always come to Christian for resources (help)
- Take the feelings of the Christian for granted
- “They’ll be alright!”
- “They can take it!”
- “They’ll understand!”
- Taking frustration/anger/malice/resentment out on the innocent Christian who happens to be present
- Family
- Expectations of the Christian unfairly higher than others (resources)
- Christian expected to be the “priest” for the rest of the family
- Represent them before God
- Allow them to have “confession” with you whenever you see them
- Criticism for being a “Jesus-Freak”
- Taking frustration/anger/malice/resentment out on the innocent Christian who happens to be present
- Church-folk
- If you are too cooperative with Church-folk, you will be confronted with every task that comes along.
- Will talk about your business to avoid conversation going to their business
- Taking frustration/anger/malice/resentment out on the innocent Christian who happens to be present
- Enemies
Body:
However, for the Christian, we serve God under a Theology of Suffering. As the old folks said when I was growing up, “You have to be tried by the fire.” Now we have allowed the concept to develop to the current saying which is, “No cross…no crown!” Nevertheless, it is the same belief which is that suffering is an integral part of the path to Glory. It is under the concept of suffering that the Christian must categorize his or her being “used”. As David said in the Psalm, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
- The suffering of this world is not OF GOD but for the Christian is FOR GOD. The Bible teaches that we must be IN the world but NOT OF the world. As it says in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” And in 1John 2:16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
- Jesus promises that we will suffer. As he warns in Luke 12:59, “I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.” There is no reward until the price of suffering has been paid.
- Suffering for Christ is as essential as believing on Him…Philippians 1:29, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”
- Suffering is the Christian’s means of identifying with Christ and being joint-heirs with Him… Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
- Suffering now is nothing compared to the Glory attained later… 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.”
- As David said in the Psalm, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
- God is present in the midst of suffering to help us through… 1Peter 5:6-7, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” And 1Peter 5:10, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
- As David said in the Psalm, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” Thank you, Jesus!!!!!
Conclusion:
Not only is the suffering an integral part of the path to Glory, but it is also a reason to rejoice for the Christian. Just as the man in Bill Withers’ song identified getting used with that “good feeling” to the point that being used was positive to him. So, should the Christian identify getting used or suffering with good attributes of a Christian life and a saved soul:
- In Jesus we have an advocate whose POWER is manifested in us during our weakness…2Corinthians 12:9-10, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
- As David said in the Psalm, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
- You have to be WORTHY and HOLY and SANCTIFIED to suffer FOR Christ… Acts 5:41, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”
- As David said in the Psalm, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
- “And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose.” This verse, Romans 8:28, is solidified during suffering as explained in Rom:5:3-5, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
- As David said in the Psalm, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
So, go ahead and use me!
You see, when you use me, that is a note to me that work has begun:
- God is working things out for me
- This tribulation is not only working my patience BUT working patience in me
- This patience is working the experience for my growth and wisdom
- This experience is working my hope for a better day
- This hope is working the Holy Ghost in me to stir my gift of joy and power
- The Holy Ghost is working a shout out of me that proclaims God’s victory over whatever suffering may be in this life.
THANK YOU, JESUS!!!
So, YES, “I want to spread the news. If it feels this good getting used, just keep on using me, keep on abusing me, keep on lieing on me, keep on spying on me, until you use me up!”
For as 2Timothy 4:8 proclaims, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” So, KEEP ON TOILING!!! Christ died and arose that we may have a right to the tree of life! “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
As David said in the Psalm,
“This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
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