What does the Bible say about why God's people suffer?
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The Bible teaches that God ordains suffering for His people to demonstrate His grace, to draw them closer to Him, and to glorify His Son.
According to Scripture, God allows His people to suffer for several reasons. First, suffering leads God's people to cry out to Him, as seen in Exodus 2:23, where the Israelites cried out in their affliction. This reveals their dependence on God for salvation and teaches them to seek Him earnestly. Second, the Apostle Paul states in Romans 8:36-37 that believers are counted as sheep for the slaughter and yet are more than conquerors through Christ, highlighting that suffering can lead to greater spiritual victories. Ultimately, God uses suffering to glorify Himself, showing His power in delivering His people and judging the wicked, like Pharaoh, as exemplified in Romans 9:21-22.
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