The Disciplining Hand of God
Did you know that there are four kinds of suffering that Christians face? One kind is Noble Suffering, or suffering for the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:16, 19). This usually involves persecution for no other reason other than your love for Jesus and your desire to be obedient to His will. The second kind of suffering is when you suffer because you chose to do wrong and you reaped the consequences (1 Peter 1:15). If you break the laws for speeding and get a ticket you are not suffering for Christ. The third kind of suffering involves the suffering that everyone faces as a consequence of living in a sinful and fallen world (Gen 3:17-19). You will get sick and will die because of sin passed on from Adam (Rom 5:12).
That brings us to the fourth kind of suffering. It is physical suffering by the hand of God as a means of disciplining His people. In Psalm 38 we read David’s prayer while enduring God’s chastening (38:1). David prays for mercy from God. He has been brought him low and his health is fading (38:3,6) because of his sin (38:3). Brethren, God will use suffering as a means to show you the depths of your sinfulness and to get you back on the path of obedience.
You must pray like David and ask God for relief and reconciliation (38:9). David does not make excuses or rationalize his sin (38:13-14), but rather confesses his sin & trusts God to hear his prayer and forgive him (3:15,18). Brethren, know that when God disciplines you He does it for your own good (Heb 12:10-11). He is your salvation (38:22).