SCRIPTURE
“Then the Lord said to Satan, “have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8
SPOTLIGHT
A mystery is something that is unexplainable, and therefore very difficult to understand. It raises many questions, and even problems. The world is filled with “unsolved mysteries.” At one time there was a TV show with that title.
One looming mystery challenging any believer is the mystery of suffering. The questions that are often asked are, “Why does a loving, just God allow a righteous believer to suffer?” Why do bad things happen to good people, and even worse, Godly people?” This mystery will not be solved until the believer gets to heaven. However, the book of Job reveals some clues which can lead a believer to completely trust God in all situations. As you read Job’s story of suffering, you can be helped in better understanding adversity and pain.
God sometimes permits suffering for reasons you, the believer, do not know. As seen in Job 1:8, which is the Scripture focused above, God permitted Job to suffer at the hands of Satan. Job recognized that God had “authorized” his sufferings, as seen in Job 6:4 which states, “The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God’s terrors are marshaled against me.” In Job 42:11b, we learn that God allowed Job to suffer for reasons Job did not comprehend. It states, “…They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought upon him…” Adversity does not mean God has stopped loving and caring for you. Job worried that God was against him but did not know why. Trouble does not mean a believer has sinned. All suffering is not because of personal sin. God was not severely punishing Job, but revealing and testing his character. Robert Lee writes, “The Ancients ask: ‘How can this man be godly if he suffers?’ We Christians say: ‘How can this man be God-like if he knows nothing of suffering?’” A friend of mine, who suddenly lost his wife and was facing family difficulties said to me, “I try to remember that God is shaping me down here, so I fit up there.”
God will always deliver, restore and bless you, the believer, who perseveres. When Job lost his family and fortune, he said, “…Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. [Job 1:21,22]. When Job lost the wealth of his health, in all this, Job did not sin in what he said. [Job 2:10b]. When Job lost credibility with his friends he said, “… that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.” [Job 6:10b]. God has purposes for allowing suffering that exceed your comprehension. While He allows trouble, trials and adversity for reasons that you do not understand, you must remember that God never changes. Job 42:10 states, “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again, and gave him twice as much as he had before.” Your Heavenly Father always does the best for you. James 5:11 states, “As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” Peter wrote his letters to persecuted, suffering Christians. 1 Peter 5:10,11 states, “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.” In the end, you, the believer, will be victorious. You may go through the fiery furnace, but you will come out winning.
During times of suffering, trouble or adversity, the believer who knows God as Heavenly Father, can trust Him by saying:
1. You have brought me here. It is in Your will that I am in this difficult place. Just like Job and my Savior, Your Son, Who died a cruel death on the cross for me, I will trust You.
2. You will watch over me and give me the grace during this trial to behave as Your child.
3. You will make the testing a blessing, and You will teach me what I need to learn.
4. In Your perfect time, I know You will bring me out victorious, and I will be better than I was before.
SOMETHING TO DO
When facing an affliction, you need to get alone with God. Find a quiet place where you can pour your heart out to your Heavenly Father. You need to be totally transparent. Ask the questions that weigh heavily upon you. Then be quiet and allow God to speak to you. Have your Bible there as the Holy Spirit may direct you to a verse or passage. (See Psalm 50:15)
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I realize the mystery of suffering in my life will always remain a mystery until I get to heaven. Then I will receive all the answers to my questions. Until then, help me to always come to You when I am facing suffering and affliction. Guard my heart from becoming bitter, because I do not understand. I do not want to be resentful, but always grateful for how You are good, loving and kind. Give me the faith of Job. And when suffering, remind me to say: “I am here by God’s appointment, in God’s care, under God’s training and for God’s time.” AMEN.