The good news is that God comforts His own (Isa. 40:1–5). Jesus fulfills these promises (61:1–4), as He declared in His sermon in the synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4:16–21). God’s comfort is complete in Jesus the Good Shepherd (John 10:1–21).

How well do you suffer? I am God’s adopted child, but I’m not good at it. I’m sure you also need to grow in this area.

As God’s adopted children, we suffer for a variety of reasons. First, because of Adam’s sin, we face suffering in a fallen world. God’s providential poundings are meant to drive us to repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 2:1–5; 8:18–39). Second, we often suffer as the result of our sinful thoughts, desires, words, and actions (1 Peter 4:12–19). Sin always has results. Yet, God’s mercy and grace call us back to the Good Shepherd (2:18–25; 1 John 1:5–2:2). Last, we also suffer as a target of the world and the devil because we are united to Christ.

Read More