March 25, 2026
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe it is helpful to understand pain and suffering not as random disconnected events that we must endure in our pursuit of happiness. Pain and suffering are spiritual and physical tests to reveal and develop our faith and love of God.
I don’t believe anything that comes our way, good or evil is random and out of God’s radar. He knows exactly what is needed and when.
Even Jesus Himself was tested, and of course suffered beyond our comprehension. It looked like the end of a would-be Messiah. What appeared from man’s short-sightedness was God’s long-term focus. He saw Easter Sunday morning prior to Palm Sunday. Easter reversed the curse placed on Jesus so we would not receive the curse of death for our sin.
It reminds me of Daniel’s three friends who would not bow down and worship the statue Nebuchadnezzar set up. Talk about a test! Bow down or burn! It looked like they had failed the test as they would not bow down, but burn. What looked like total defeat was reversed and they walked through the fire without singeing one hair.
God can rescue His people from anything! Why doesn’t He always? That answer lies with God’s infinite wisdom and love. One thing is sure: all suffering will one day cease and we will be rescued from sin and evil and welcomed into God’s divine presence where pain, suffering, testing, cease and where we will have no need to ask why!
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today, 4:30 Confirmation class.
Sunday 29, 9:00 Morning worship. Sermon: On Earth is Not His Equal
4:00 the Dramatization of the Living Last Supper. Invite a friend.
April 3, 6:30 PM Good Friday Service and Holy Communion. Tearing Down the Spite House
April 5, 9:00 Son-Rise Easter Service and Holy Communion. I Know My Redeemer Lives. No Sunday school.
Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran
Our service also airs on: KGLO 1300 AM at 10:00 AM, and KIOW 107.3 FM at 7:00 AM. Spread the word.
Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve thepurpose for which I sent it.
