Dave Furman is senior pastor of Redeemer Church of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates chancellor of the Gulf Theological Seminary. He is also the author of "The Surprising Savior," a 25 devotions designed "to help Christians refocus their hearts and marvel at the reason we celebrate the season."
The devotional explores Christmas through the lens of the Gospel of Luke in the Bible, seeing how God worked through unexpected individual, places and timing. It examines the time when people were waiting on the Messiah so that people now can find hope and encouragement in their own "seasons of waiting."
Furman joined American Family Radio (AFR)'s "The Stand Radio" program to share a word of encouragement for listeners who find themselves in a season of waiting, drawing from his own 21-year battle with physical pain.
"This side of eternity, I struggle with a disability in both of my arms and face chronic pain. We've been praying for 21 years for healing, and God has not provided healing, yet we keep praying for that," Furman says. "I want to point you to Jesus that is coming as part of God's redemption plan to make all wrong things right... I would tell you this, that your suffering today has an expiration date. It will end."
Furman reminded listeners that Jesus' first coming points directly to His second coming, where He will wipe away every tear.
He encouraged believers to let their present pain serve as a reminder of the eternal joy waiting for them, and noted that God often works through weakness so that He receives all the glory.
Furman has also written books on suffering, including Embracing God in Your Suffering and Being There. The full podcast can be listened to at any time on "The Stand Radio" anytime at afr.net.
