by Dr. Paul Chappell

“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels.”

Philemon 10–12

God never promises that His children will not suffer; in fact, He foretold that we would suffer.

A. Parnell Bailey visited an orange grove where an irrigation pump had broken down. The season was unusually dry, and some of the trees were beginning to die from a lack of water. The man giving the tour then took Bailey to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly. “These trees could go without rain for another two weeks,” he said. “You see, when they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them to send their roots deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Now mine are the deepest-rooted trees in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these are finding moisture at a greater depth.” The tree had learned through tough times to dig deep and root itself deep into the earth.

Have you ever wondered why the saved still suffer? It seems as if once we are saved, God will take away all suffering or hardship. Yet God chooses not to. And it is through those times that God wants to mold us into Christians He can use. He wants us to dig the roots of our lives deep into His Word and rely on Him.

Our verses today give us an example of a saved man who faced suffering. Onesimus had been a slave of Philemon, a man Paul had led to the Lord. While many times slaves in those days were simply house servants, Onesimus ran away from his duties and hid out in Rome.

While in Rome, Onesimus had somehow found Paul who was imprisoned at this time. Paul witnessed to Onesimus and saw him accept Christ. Yet Onesimus still had to return to Philemon and make right the wrong he had done by running away. This wasn’t merely a return to duty or even a risk of unemployment; runaway slaves could be put to death if the master desired. Onesimus was facing certain suffering if he returned home.

But Onesimus was now a Christian; Christ had forgiven his disobedience. Why would he have to suffer? God never promises that His children will not suffer; in fact, He says in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” We will suffer if we choose to follow Christ.

While this may seem like a negative thought, think of what Christ went through on earth. He suffered more than we will ever suffer! Yet He did so willingly so that we could be saved. The Lord tells us in John 15:20, “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”

As a Christian, you will suffer persecution, whether it’s through times of sickness, financial troubles, or outside persecution. Do not be surprised by difficulties. Rather than becoming upset during these times, God wants you to dig the roots of your life deep into Him and His Word. Root yourself in Him by reading His Word, being faithful to church, continuing soulwinning, and spending daily time in prayer with Him.

Are you in a time of suffering? Don’t think this is a strange time. God foretold of it! Make this a time of personal growth. Commit to staying faithful to God during this time, and submit to God’s molding work in your life.

To learn more about Pastor Chappell's books, Sunday school curriculum, and spiritual leadership resources, please visit strivingtogether.com.

To learn more about Pastor Paul Chappell and his ministry, please visit paulchappell.com or follow him on twitter.  

Daily Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 21-22 • John 14