Why So Much Suffering, Part 2 (Suffering 01)

1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

This text opened up for us the question of suffering.

Essentially, the disciples were asking for and looking for a reason for the suffering that this man, born blind, was enduring. They wanted to know why he had been forced to suffer.

This is the question we so often ask today.

We began last week by examining the need for this study.

This is not just a struggle that unbelievers wrestle with…it is one we do as well.

Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy taught us HOW to walk through suffering and how to let it lead us to trust, but it did not essentially answer the question of where suffering comes from and how it relates to a God who exercises complete and sovereign control over all.

That is what this little series intends to answer.

Today, we resume where we left off last week.

Namely that suffering comes from sin.

Suffering exists because sin exists.

We considered Genesis 3 and the beginning of sin and the curse that continues to plague us today.

Suffering comes from sin, first introduced by the arch nemesis of creation; our arch nemesis.

Our enemy.

Have someone read....

Ephesians 2:1-3.

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

We have an enemy, known as the Prince of the power of the air.

Who is this enemy?

Satan.

Is God sovereign over even Satan?

What does this title, “The Prince of the Power of the Air” reveal to us about Satan?

God’s Sovereignty over Satan’s World Rule

A. The Bible calls Satan: the ruler of this world.

Have volunteers to look up John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11 and 2 Cor 4:4.

1. “Ruler of this world” (Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11)

John 12:31 ESV

31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.

John 14:30 ESV

30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,

John 16:11 ESV

11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

What does it mean to be a ruler?

Ruler - One how has eminence in a ruling capacity, lord, prince. One who has administrative authority, leader, official.

Satan has authority to rule, reign, and dictation on the earth…at least for a time and to a certain extent.

2. “God of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4)

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

What is a god?

Theos - The most generic term for God or a god that you come up with.

Other names like YHWH, Elohim, Adonai, etc refer to the ONE TRUE GOD.

Over the years, I have enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy books about Greek, Roman, and even Norse gods. It is interesting how man depicts the gods. Man’s invention of god is VERY different than the real thing.

How does man depict god?

They are essentially just super powerful versions of ourselves. NONE all power. ALL flawed and still dealing with petty issues.

BUT these gods are powerful, more so than humankind.

The dictionary defines “god” as a transcendent being who exercises extraordinary control in human affairs.

THE ONE TRUE GOD is ALL POWERFUL AND PERFECTLY FLAWLESS.

Man’s versions are not all powerful and very much flawed.

BUT, satan here is referred to in the generic sense of the term in that he is a more powerful being than us.

Point is, his control over the world is so powerful that he is called “the god of this world.”

This authority is took from us when we yielded to his temptation in the garden.

He exercises the complete control over this creation that I believe man was intended to wield.

3. “Prince and power of the air” (Eph. 2:2)

Ephesians 2:2 ESV

2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Prince in this verse is the same word for “ruler” in the passages in John we saw. He is literally the RULER of the air.

Power - A state of control over something; potential or resource to command, control, or govern; The right to control; the sphere in which power is exercised (domain)

Satan has the power and authority; the right to control and govern the world as he sees fit.

Listen, our adversary is no joke. He may not be God, but he is powerful and dangerous. He does exercise authority and power that is great and too much for us.

B. Satan offers Christ “his kingdom” (Lk. 4:5-7)

Luke 4:1–8 ESV

1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’ ” 5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ ”

What is Satan offering here? What is the essence of his temptation?

1. “I will give you authority over the world.”

2. “It has been delivered to me.”

3. “I will give it to whomever I want.”

4. “You must worship me.”

What is really happening here? What is this temptation about?

We know that Jesus IS God, so how can Satan offer something to Jesus that is already his?

God the Father had promised the kingdoms of the world to his Son.

Psalm 2:1-8.

Psalm 2:1–8 ESV

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

Daniel 7:13-14 also prophesies about such.

This time is coming AFTER the work of Jesus on earth.

Satan’s temptation is essentially this…bow down and worship me, I can give you what your Father has promised WITHOUT all the suffering involved in getting there.

Satan does not REALLY control the earth. He is given temporary and limited power and control over it for a limited time. Truth is, he could not have delivered on his promise, but isn’t that true of all his promises?

Do you see the methodology and diabolical nature of Satan’s temptations?

Does he not also work that way when he tempts us?

Point is, Satan is temporarily given control over this world. But it is not complete nor eternal.

C. Satan is the ruler of this world, but…

1. He can only do what God allows him to do (Job 1:8-12).

Job 1:8–12 ESV

8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

What truth is conveyed to us in this passage?

Satan is bound by God’s permission or restraint.

Years ago, as a teenager, I read a book by Randy Alcorn called “Edge of Eternity.” I remember very little about it except this little excerpt.

The Impostor lunged at me, and I braced myself for certain death. But he stopped in midair, as if he’d hit a cement wall. He clutched at his throat. I saw what I’d never seen before—a tight collar around his neck. Something dangled from it, hung horizontally and disappearing into space. I couldn’t see the other end. Suddenly I realized what it was.

“When I first came to Thuros, you pursued me, Pretender. You ripped into my neck. And just as you were about to carry me off to your lair, your head jerked violently. Now I see why. You’re on a leash!”

I stepped into the opening and pointed to the sky.

“All your flying reptiles, they’re on leashes too, aren’t they? They’re held by an unseen hand. But now I know the one who holds the other end of your leash, Pretender. I’ve heard his roar. I’ve met him. I crossed the chasm in his scarred hands. You can’t move an inch farther than he permits!”

He screamed in rage and lunged at me again from the dugout. His outstretched hands were but a foot from my throat. I was frozen with fear yet determined to hold my ground. His fingernails stopped within an inch of me, his head jerking back on his neck. Whiplash. He raised his fists and glared at Charis on the mountainside, screaming and cursing. He looked like a rabid marionette trying to loosen itself from its strings.

Randy Alcorn

Point is…Satan is on a leash.

2. God actually is using Satan to fulfill God’s purpose in human history.

Satan is a tool.

A dangerous tool (But then aren’t all tools dangerous is used wrongly) .... But he is a tool nonetheless.

A tool in the hands of God.

Does that give you a different perspective on Satan and his power?

Satan may be the ruler of the world now, but he is so BY GOD’s POWER and will…as is every king and ruler throughout history.

3. God sets up and removes all kings throughout all history (Dan. 2: 20-21; 4:17.)

Daniel 2:20–21 ESV

20 Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

How does this verse, this truth grant you comfort and security when you consider the evil and wicked rulers of the world?

They are still under God’s control

They too are tools being used of God to fulfill HIS greater purposes.

They can do nothing to derail God’s plan or purpose.

God sets up rulers and kings.

Satan is not exempt from this control and influence.

Like Satan, wicked men and evil rulers....

4. Rulers deliberately seek to overcome God (Ps. 2:2-4).

Psalm 2:2–4 ESV

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Man, in their arrogance, in like fashion to that of the Adversary himself, think they can wrestle control from God.

It is foolishness.

God holds them in DERISION

What does it mean to deride someone?

Mocking

Scorning

Laughing

Ridicule

God is over all.

5. BUT God frustrates their attempts (Ps. 33:10-11). They never quite achieve what they want.

Psalm 33:10–11 ESV

10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

No matter how great rulers of men become, they are still subservient to God Himself.

Practical Application: God is sovereign over all nations; the good and even the very evil. They do not accomplish anything without His permission. When He does let them “rule,” it is to show the consequences of not loving and obeying Him. Man will reap what he sows.

God’s Sovereignty over Satan’s Angels

Who or what are Satan’s angels?

These are the demons.

A. Satan has one third of all the angels God created (Rev. 12:4).

Revelation 12:4 ESV

4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.

These fallen angels are also known as the demons. Satan and his demons are in fact angels who were created by God with the choice to obey or not (as all angels have that choice) and who chose to reject God and were cast down.

Satan himself is known as the Angel of Light.

Anyone know the name we believe to be have been Satan’s before the fall?

Lucifer

Likely very beautiful and striking. Believed to have been one of the chief angels.

He is not as we often depict him, wicked, ugly, twisted, with horns and pitchfork. You would not recognize him by appearance if he ever were to appear before you.

Evil masks itself in light.

We see it as well here in 2 Peter 2:4.

2 Peter 2:4 ESV

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

Demons are angels that sinned and were cast out of heaven.

B. Satan’s angels are all evil.

1. Demons (Mt. 8:31; Jas. 2:19)

Matthew 8:31 ESV

31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.”

James 2:19 ESV

19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Demon - an evil spirit; a source or agent of evil, harm, distress, or ruin.

2. Evil spirits (Lk. 7:21)

Luke 7:21 ESV

21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight.

Evil - Morally reprehensible, sinful, wicked, causing harm

Spirit - Wind, air. The spirit which is man’s life, existence.

3. Unclean spirits (Mt. 10:1)

Matthew 10:1 ESV

1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

All three terms are synonyms for demons, fallen angels. They are evil, wicked, and malevolent.

They indicate the nature of these beings.

And they referred to HIS angels.

4. Devil and his angels (Mt. 25:41)

Matthew 25:41 ESV

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Satan has command over these angels.

They listen and obey his authority.

Neither Satan NOR his angels are omnipresent like God. They are limited by space and time as we are.

They are created beings.

They keep busy doing Satan’s bidding and cannot be everywhere at once.

But make no mistake…they are evil and they are powerful.

And they answer to the one who seeks our demise with every fiber of his existence.

C. There is an ongoing demonic warfare (Dan. 10:13)

Daniel 10:1–21 ESV

1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) 5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. 10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” 15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. 16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” 18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.

This passage gives us just a glimpse into the spiritual realm of warfare that is happening around us at all times.

Other such passages that give us glimpses...

Mt. 8:29-31.

Mk. 1:27.

2 Kings 6:8-23.

We do not have eyes to physically see the spiritual realm, but it is there and there is MUCH going on.

Frank Peretti wrote two novels years ago (They were his first novels), This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness). While not to be used to develop a theology of angels and demons, it does give some interesting speculation (based on revealed scripture) about the nature of spiritual warfare.

Suffering comes, in part, due to the presence of sin and our adversary in the world.

D. Demons know of their inevitable end. (Mt. 8:29)

Matthew 8:29 ESV

29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

They know their end fate.

Whether they knew it before they rebelled, is anyone’s guess as it was not revealed to us.

BUT speculating off of what happened to Adam and Eve (they did not know the end of their choice), it is likely to assume that the angels did not know the end of their choice until it was too late.

This makes them all the more dangerous. They know they have nothing to lose. They will seek to reek as much havic as possible as they go down.

Practical Application: There is a very real, literal, battle of angels going on. They are having a major impact on this planet, but God is also sovereign over them.

God’s Sovereignty over Satan’s Persecution

A. Peter describes Satan as a hunting lion (I Pt. 5:8-9).

1 Peter 5:8–9 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

1. “Prowl”- he is looking for ways to destroy, kill.

2. “To devour”- he is after believers. Satan does not need to bother the unsaved. He has them where he wants them. They are already his subjects.

Do not think, even for a minute, that Satan means any good will towards you.

Do not think, even for a second, that his enticements are EVER meant to bring us pleasure and enjoyment.

They are meant to trap, to kill, to destroy. THAT IS ONLY EVER HIS intent.

This intent is not personal to us. This is about God. This is about his destroying as much of God’s good creation as he can.

B. Peter challenges us to resist Satan’s attacks.

1. “Resist him”

2. “Be firm in the faith”- trust the truth

We are facing a warfare. Our adversary is ruthless. We must be on guard.

He will bring suffering and persecution.

Listen, we are facing an adversary....but even when persecution and suffering come, God will actually use it to further the gospel. Christianity actually flourishes under persecution.

We are told to suffer for good.

C. Peter encourages Christians to be willing to suffer for doing good; doing God’s will (1 Pt. 3:17).

1 Peter 3:13–17 ESV

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

There is no honor in suffering because you sinned/did something stupid and now suffer for it.

But when you do good, and suffer, this is a good and righteous thing.

D. Satan’s total persecution was unleashed on Christ (Lk. 22:52, 53).

Satan’s greatest attempt, his most vehement and brutal persecution was directed toward Christ.

Luke 22:52–53 ESV

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

1. Christ submitted to Satan’s persecution to accomplish His Father s will on our behalf (Lk. 22:52, 53).

2. Christ, of His own free will, laid down His life for us (Jn. 10:18).

John 10:18 ESV

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Practical Application: Even in persecution, Christ uses Satan to accomplish God’s will. We see persecution as a hindrance and as being unfruitful. We get confused about what God is trying to do, when in fact God is using it in ways we cannot see from our perspective.

Conclusion

Why is there so much suffering?

Why is there suffering like we saw last week; like the Holocost?

Why are there wars like the one going on now is the Ukraine?

Suffering exists because of sin.

Suffering exists because we have an adversary.

We need to understand this and develop a biblical theology of suffering.

Suffering exists because of sin.

Suffering exists because we have an adversary.

Yes, God is still sovereign over it all, and God uses suffering for his purpose.

The path of the cross, of salvation, was a path of suffering.

And yet, it resulted in the most glorious gift of grace you and I will ever see.

If we fail to understand this, we fail to see God as He is. He will become small. Suffering will become big.

Our demands for an easy and comfortable life become big and God’s purposes becomes small.

We will begin to see life in terms of the here and now, the immediate and temporal instead of in light of eternity.

We will lose hope in a God who is powerful and begin to think he is impotent or evil.

As we continue to walk through this series, we will see that though evil exists and suffering exists due to sin, God is still in control and he is no less good because of it.

Whatever your suffering, God knows. And he is at work. Will you yield to him and then stand back and see the beautiful tapestry his is painting for his glory and our good?

As we reflect upon these truths, it is my prayer that will be ever growing together to become more like Jesus for the glory of God.

Application

Why is the sovereignty of God often a difficult truth for people to accept?

They cannot understand the suffering and hurt they are going through with the fact of an all powerful God who is supposed to be good. And in their minds, “good” means that he protects us from harm, uncomfortableness, etc. Goodness means that he should protect us from all pain and disappointment. They fail to see how pain and disappointment are tools in the hands of a good God to work good into our lives for His glory and our wellbeing.

Have you ever gotten angry with God for suffering in your life? Have you ever been tempted to doubt God or reject Him due to suffering? If so, what scriptural truths did God use to protect you from yielding to such attitudes?

What truths, promises, or passages of scripture are good arsenal passages for when we face suffering?

Romans 8:28.

Romans 8:31-39.

James 1:2-4.

Hebrews 12:1-2.

Lamentations 3:23-24.

Psalm 27.

2 Corinthians 4:17.

Philippians 1:6.

Why is it helpful to understand that all suffering ultimately comes from sin and the curse?

It reminds us that sin and suffering does not come from God. He is not the origin or source of it. We are. It takes God off the hook for being the source of our suffering.

Read James 1:2-4. Why can/should we count it all joy when we face trials?

Because those trials are working for our sanctification; to make us more like Christ and to shape us into His image.

Read Hebrews 12:1-2. What joy was before Jesus that enabled him to enjoy the cross and despise the shame?

The joy of reconciling man to himself, of satisfying His Father’s (and his own) wrath against sin. The joy of opening the way back to the father through his death, burial, and resurrection.

How should the reality of the spiritual warfare we wake up to every day affect the way we approach every day?

We should wake up fortifying ourselves with truth, renewing our minds, and pressing into God ANTICIPATING warfare, temptation, and trouble.

We wake up, prepared to resist, to fight, to hide in Christ.

Our time, resources, and energies should be primed to be used rightly for God’s sake.

What comfort or encouragement can we take from the fact that though Satan is ruler of this world, he is still subservient to God’s rule?

He can do no harm to us. God will not allow or permit Satan to harm us in any way that will have lasting/eternal implications. Romans 8:31-39.

Satan is not sovereign. He is not all powerful. He is a tool of God’s, being used for God’s purposes. Thus, we can trust in God’s control over him and trust that anything God is permitting Satan to do is ultimately going to work out for God’s glory and our good.

How do you react when reading a passage like Daniel 10?

It reminds me of the sober reality that we ARE in a war. Even though we cannot see it, we are battling and waging war everyday. It ought to keep me/us vigilant, wary, and on guard. It ought to challenge us to remain close to God, our fortress and our protection. It ought to motivate us to come along others to help strengthen and protect them in the midst of their raging battles.

What comfort or encouragement can you take from the truth that our suffering and persecution is temporary?

It is not forever. It will end. It will pass.

The enjoyment of the peace and inheritance to come will be all the sweeter in light of the suffering we have endured. It will mean more when we have come out of suffering for we will know the other side of that peace and what it was like.

What comfort and encouragement can you take from the truth that our suffering and persecution are tools in the hands of God?

They are working an eternal weight of glory. The suffering will not be for naught. 2 Corinthians 4:17.