John Piper says that the most loving thing God can do for us is to reveal His Glory to us. In John 11, Scripture states that Lazarus’s illness was for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. Then we read this statement about Jesus’s love and his subsequent actions.
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. – John 11: 5-6
Isn’t that interesting? Jesus was being loving by delaying His arrival. This only makes sense when we understand that God’s glory is the only thing that would/could satisfy Lazarus. When the Bible promises that Christians will receive all things through Christ, we must remember that our prize is namely Christ Himself.
One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple. – Psalm 27:4
Our joy comes from seeing the glory and beauty of Christ!
God uses suffering in our lives to show us His glory… and this is a loving thing. Counter-intuitive isn’t it? He brings us suffering to further our joy. Oh, that I would cherish the beauty of Christ instead of the things of this world. This world is not my home.
I’m glad that God reminds me that this world is not my home. This world can be discouraging. Death, illness, poverty, pain and suffering, natural disasters… Jesus knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he promised to help us through it.
You will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy… In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. – John 16
Let us see the beauty of Christ and His sovereignty during suffering and remind ourselves not to put our hope in this world.
ONE PURE AND HOLY PASSION by Mark Altrogge. Download this song here.
Give me one pure and holy passion,
Give me one magnificent obsession,
Jesus, give me one glorious ambition for my life,
To know and follow hard after You.
To know and follow hard after You,
To grow as Your disciple in the truth,
This world is empty, pale and poor,
Compared to knowing You, my Lord.
Lead me on, and I will run after You.
