FAITH IN GOD IN SUFFERING

The Bible was not clear about when Job was born. Some say he lived during Abraham's time, and others say that he lived a generation after Abraham. In any case, Job was the richest person among all the people of the East because He was an excellent farmer and a businessman. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants (Job 1:3). But what stood out about Job was not his wealth, but his faith in God and his integrity. He loved his children (seven sons and three daughters) and made sure that they were acceptable before God. Job 1:4-5 shows how Job took care of his children before God; it says, "Job's sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, 'Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.' This was Job's regular practice." The burnt offering is the burning of a clean animal before God for the forgiveness of sin. This religious practice was the way God instructed His people on dealing with sin in the Old Testament period. We don't practice burnt offerings anymore because Jesus replaced it with His death on the cross. Jesus died for our sins once and for all. 

Even though Job faithfully followed God and made sure his children were forgiven, God allowed him to lose his children and wealth almost at the same time. When we examine Job's situation and put ourselves into his shoes, we may feel that God was unfair. Job was not a perfect man, but he faithfully followed and obeyed God. He lived a godly life before his family and others. Yet, God allowed everything he had to be taken away from Him. Why would God allow Job to go through this pain and sorrow? Job didn't understand why all these things were happening to Him. But despite all these, he responded to worship God. Job 1:20-22 says, "Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, 'I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!' In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God."

Instead of accusing God of being unfair, his faith in God prevailed. He realized and believed that everything that he cherished in this world came from God, and God had the right to take them away from Him. As a result, he never blamed God, but thanked God for the time that he enjoyed what God had given him. We will discuss more in depth how Job understood God in the midst of his tremendous and devastating lost next week. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Do I respond like Job when going through suffering? What do I think about God when He allows suffering in my life? What can I learn from Job's response?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, dealing with lost and suffering is very difficult for me to process. Many times I have questioned you about why you allow things to happen that don't make sense to me. However, I understand and believe that you are God, who is sovereign, holy, and good. Please help me to trust you and rely on you, for in your timing, everything will make sense to me. You have always been there for me during difficult times. I pray that you will give me the strength and wisdom in dealing with uncertainty. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.