Recently I have really been blessed by some sermons by Ligon Duncan. When I discovered he'd written a book on suffering I was excited! CJ Mahaney says on the front cover,"If you are presently suffering this book is for you. And if you are not, this book is still for you." He couldn't be more right- this is a book that will encourage and challenge everyone.
The book is not long, less than 100 pages and has large-ish type. Therefore although relevant for everyone it is the sort of book which could be read by someone in the midst of trials as it is not a great weighty book but is crammed full of truth. There are four chapters, looking at issues such as Why do we suffer? What is God up to? and How can we profit from suffering? Each of these are written clearly and practically and often in point form, which makes what he is saying easy to remember.
It was however the final chapter, which I found to be the most challenging. Entitled "What should we think of Jesus' suffering?", it reminds us that Jesus also suffered and can empathise with us in our suffering. So often we think that our suffering is just so great and we forget that Jesus suffered greater distress than we ever will. What's more this suffering was for us. We deserved to suffer more than we ever do, but because of His grace he took our place. As Duncan comments:
"The Christian's suffering in this life, then, is nothing compared to what it would have been were it not for the Lord Jesus Christ."
This book leaves you less thinking about your own problems and thankful for Christs gracious work on the cross.
Published by P&R
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