Suffering comes unexpectedly, but the Bible encourages us to consider it joy. We should learn the lessons God gives us in suffering and use it as an opportunity for our faith to grow.
2. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,
Today's sermon will discuss the grace of suffering. The hardships and trials that come unexpectedly in life can discourage us, but the Bible encourages us to rejoice in these sufferings. Suffering is an important process that helps grow our faith and humbles us before God. Therefore, we should learn patience and hope through suffering, looking forward to the blessings that God provides as we move forward.
- James 1:2 2. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,
- Exodus 32:9 9. Yahweh said to Moses, “I have seen these people, and behold, they are a stiff-necked people.
- Deuteronomy 8:2 2. You shall remember all the way which Yahweh your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or not.
- Romans 5:3 3. Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;
- Matthew 5:11 11. “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
- 1 Peter 1:6 6. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,
- James 1:3 3. knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
- Psalms 119 1. Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh’s law. 2. Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart. 3. Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways. 4. You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them. 5. Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes! 6. Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments. 7. I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments. 8. I will observe your statutes. Don’t utterly forsake me. 9. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10. With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments. 11. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12. Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. 13. With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth. 14. I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15. I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways. 16. I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. 17. Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word. 18. Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law. 19. I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me. 20. My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times. 21. You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments. 22. Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes. 23. Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24. Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. 25. My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word! 26. I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes. 27. Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works. 28. My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word. 29. Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously! 30. I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me. 31. I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don’t let me be disappointed. 32. I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free. 33. Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end. 34. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart. 35. Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them. 36. Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain. 37. Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways. 38. Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared. 39. Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good. 40. Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness. 41. Let your loving kindness also come to me, Yahweh, your salvation, according to your word. 42. So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word. 43. Don’t snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances. 44. So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever. 45. I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts. 46. I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed. 47. I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them. 48. I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes. 49. Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope. 50. This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me. 51. The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don’t swerve from your law. 52. I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself. 53. Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law. 54. Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live. 55. I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and I obey your law. 56. This is my way, that I keep your precepts. 57. Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words. 58. I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word. 59. I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes. 60. I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments. 61. The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won’t forget your law. 62. At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances. 63. I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts. 64. The earth is full of your loving kindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. 65. Do good to your servant, according to your word, Yahweh. 66. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. 67. Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word. 68. You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes. 69. The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts. 70. Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. 72. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. 73. Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments. 74. Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word. 75. Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76. Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant. 77. Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. 78. Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts. 79. Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes. 80. Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed. 81. My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word. 82. My eyes fail for your word. I say, “When will you comfort me?” 83. For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don’t forget your statutes. 84. How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85. The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law. 86. All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me! 87. They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn’t forsake your precepts. 88. Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth. 89. Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever. 90. Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains. 91. Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you. 92. Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93. I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me. 94. I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts. 95. The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes. 96. I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless. 97. How I love your law! It is my meditation all day. 98. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me. 99. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100. I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts. 101. I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word. 102. I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me. 103. How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth! 104. Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. 105. Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path. 106. I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances. 107. I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word. 108. Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances. 109. My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won’t forget your law. 110. The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven’t gone astray from your precepts. 111. I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. 112. I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end. 113. I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. 114. You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word. 115. Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. 116. Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope. 117. Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually. 118. You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain. 119. You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies. 120. My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. 121. I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors. 122. Ensure your servant’s well-being. Don’t let the proud oppress me. 123. My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word. 124. Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes. 125. I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies. 126. It is time to act, Yahweh, for they break your law. 127. Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold. 128. Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way. 129. Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them. 130. The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. 131. I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments. 132. Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133. Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me. 134. Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts. 135. Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes. 136. Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your law. 137. You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright. 138. You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy. 139. My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words. 140. Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. 141. I am small and despised. I don’t forget your precepts. 142. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth. 143. Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight. 144. Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. 145. I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes. 146. I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes. 147. I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words. 148. My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word. 149. Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances. 150. They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law. 151. You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth. 152. Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever. 153. Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don’t forget your law. 154. Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise. 155. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don’t seek your statutes. 156. Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances. 157. Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven’t swerved from your testimonies. 158. I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don’t observe your word. 159. Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness. 160. All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. 161. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. 162. I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder. 163. I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law. 164. Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances. 165. Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble. 166. I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments. 167. My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly. 168. I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you. 169. Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word. 170. Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word. 171. Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172. Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness. 173. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174. I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight. 175. Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me. 176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments.
- Deuteronomy 9:6 6. Know therefore, that Yahweh your God doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness; for you are a stiff-necked people.
- 1 Peter 1:7 7. that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—
- Job 23:10 10. But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come out like gold.
- Jeremiah 29:11 11. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.
- James 1:4 4. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
- Numbers 12:3 3. Now the man Moses was very humble, above all the men who were on the surface of the earth.
- Matthew 11:29 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
- Psalms 23 1. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. 2. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. 6. Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.
Suffering is a tool of blessing
- The Meaning of Suffering
- The Benefits of Suffering
- Humility Through Suffering
- The Blessing of Suffering
- Faith that Overcomes Suffering
Six days of devotions drawn from this Sunday's sermon — one for each day, Monday through Saturday.
Five quick questions from this Sunday's message. Tap an answer to see if you're right.
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What is the theme of the sermon?
The theme of the sermon is 'The grace of suffering', addressing the grace and lessons that God provides through suffering.
Preacher: Senior Pastor Lee Young-hoon
Date: 2026-10-11
Thank you for the precious praise.
>> Amen. Amen.
I feel like I have become about 10 years younger after singing praises.
>> Amen. Let’s greet each other. Let’s greet each other. Today is truly a good day.
>> Good things will happen to all of us. Good things will happen.
Today, I would like to share the grace of the Word with you all based on James 1:2-4, titled "The Grace of Suffering." Please repeat after me. The grace of suffering.
>> The grace of suffering.
>> The grace of suffering.
>> The grace of suffering.
As we live our one and only life, we wish for everything to go well and for only good things to happen. However, life does not work that way. Many problems and difficulties come to us without warning. We sometimes face unbearable suffering and trials. There are cases where someone who has boasted of their health without ever knowing a cold goes to the hospital feeling unwell and receives a diagnosis of terminal cancer. Others may be betrayed by colleagues they have always trusted, or a young friend graduates from college and starts working only to be laid off due to company difficulties, or a business that was doing well suddenly goes bankrupt overnight, leading to great hardship. Such problems and difficulties often come our way.
>> Amen.
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