February 2024
Sovereign over Suffering
INTO THE WORD
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Suffering often leads us to ask hard questions. This is particularly true when suffering is undeserved, when we suffer for doing what is good. At such moments, we are tempted to doubt God’s presence and power. We are tempted to ask, “Is God still in control?”
We are not the first generation to wrestle with these questions. Thankfully, God has addressed the issue of suffering and His sovereignty in the Scriptures. The Lord is in control even when His people suffer, and those who oppose Him and cause His people to suffer are morally responsible for their evil.
These truths are evident throughout Acts 3–5, which is the subject of our study this month. The Apostle Peter makes it clear in the confrontation with the Sanhedrin that the Jewish leaders were at fault for the death of Jesus even though His death was ordained by God, who is sovereign over all things. We will also see how God exercised His sovereign power to hold Ananias and Sapphira accountable for their lie and to send an angel to rescue the Apostles from prison.
Because God is sovereign, we trust Him to use even our suffering for our good. May we be encouraged by that truth.
These verses parallel the themes of the studies each week. We encourage you to hide them in your heart so that you may not sin against the Lord:
Abiding in the Word
- Jeremiah 30:22
- Acts 4:12
- Psalm 112:5
- 1 Peter 3:17