Sermon on 20 October 2024 by Pastor Justin
Introduction
Job went through a lot of suffering; he lost everything. He asked “why”. When we face challenges, we would likely ask “why”. This is a fair question, and the answer is “I don’t know” because we do not know God’s plan. But we do know that God cares about the problem of evil and suffering. God knows what it is like; Jesus came down and ensured suffering (Romans 3:3; John 3:16; 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 23:4).
Message
Job is one of the oldest books in the bible. He was before Moses’ time, which means he did not have the commandments. But Job was blameless; he was righteous. When Job was suffering, he wondered why, he argued, he asked angry questions (Job 40:8b). God did not answer Job’s question of “why”. Rather, God shifted Job’s cries of desperation to His sovereignty and power (Job 42:5).
Why would God let terrible things happen?
Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God. That’s why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’ When a plague sweeps through, he laughs at the death of the innocent. - Job 9:22-23
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. - Job 38:1-3
In Job 38:4-7, God talks about how He created the world. In 38:8-11, God talks about how he created the oceans and put boundaries around them. God gave us a perfect world, but it is in chaos because of the sin of man. But remember that God loves us and cares for us.
His ways are beyond our understanding (Job 39,40,41; Isaiah 55:8-9).
1. Know that God is present in your suffering
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: God is present in a storm. - Job 38:1
God is present with you in your suffering (Job 42:5). The kingdom principle is often expressed through suffering, and we experience God’s presence in our storm (Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 28:20).
It is no longer the “why” and the “what” (Job 42:3). The more you know the bible, the less you ask “why”, because you have encountered God. It shifts from knowing about God to having a personal encounter with God (Job 42:5-6). We can experience and encounter His love, goodness, and faithfulness (Acts 9:5; Luke 24:32), as we go about our daily living (Hebrews 3:7).
2. Know that God’s grace is sufficient; God’s power is made perfect in weakness
God says walk in faith and not by sight. Get in step and get close to God (2 Corinthians 5:7; Proverbs 3:5-6). At the bottom, grace awaits you (James 4:6). Obedience is at its worst when we are in pain and suffering. Temptation is at its best when all is well and good. Keep trusting God’s grace (Job 42:12,16).
No matter how strong or weak your faith may be, His grace will give you peace (2 Corinthians 12:9). Seek His face, and you will encounter the one true God (Jeremiah 29:13). Don’t focus on why, pain and suffering. Whatever you focus on, expands. Therefore, focus on His love, promise, faithfulness, and still small voice (Isaiah 30:21). Your pain is teaching you Christ-likeness. Don’t run from it!
Closing
The fear of the Lord leads to abundance and long life (Job 42:16).
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