Suffering and the Sovereignty of God

Introduction: Amen.

Turn in your Bibles with me to the book of Job.

Now, the book of Job is JUST SAD.

For those of you familiar with this book, it’s filled with sad events and conversations, and it’s not until the end of the 42 Chapters that things turn around.

But even so, this book has such great value. It’s a treasure of truths to help us live lives of faith.

Now Job is one of the 5 wisdom books of the bible. Psalms Proberbs, Song of Solomon, Eccelsiastes, and Job.

- Psalms teaches us How to worship.

- Proverbs teaches us How to behave.

- Song of Solomon teaches us How to love.

- Ecclesiastes teaches us How to live.

- Job teaches us How to suffer.

In pastoral ministry, I get to see alot and experience alot with people.

The good and he bad.

The births and the funerals.

The graduations and the sickness.

And really, a church as close as we are, we go through life together.

And we know about suffering, personally.

We could easilty have a time of testimony, which is a good idea.

And we could share aboutt he trials of our lives, how hard it was.

And How God got us through.

We need not forget that. That it is God who got us through.

the title of the message is, Suffering and the Soverignty of God.

But let’s begin with prayer.

Prayer: Father, thank you for presence in this place. Thank you for your grace, mercy, and peace. Teach us now and give us wisdom. The wisdom we need in life and in suffering. Forgive me of my sins. and save the lost. In Jesus name, Amen.

Introduction: Amen.

CS Lewis was once asked. "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They're the only ones who can take it."

And althought that is true. It does not mean that suffering is easy.

Now, Job goes through alot.

More than any man should go through.

And what we learn, is Job remained faithful.

And Job understood, God was in control of his situation.

Now if you’ve found Job chapter 1. Let’s begin reading in vs 1.

Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.”

Job 1:2 “There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.”

Job 1:3 “He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.”

Job 1:4 “His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.”

Job 1:5 “And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.”

The book of Job begins by describing this man named Job.

And the name Job means hated or persecuted.

And it’s fitting for what he has to go through.

And I just want us to recognize Job is an actual person.

This is wisdom literature, but this is not allegory or a figurative person. But Job was a real man.

We know that in Ezekiel 14:14, Job is mentioned with Noah, and Daniel. referring to their righteousness.

in the New Testament. Jame 5:11 - reminds us of Job’s steadfastness.

And so we do as James said, are reminding our selves of this man’s faith.

NOw, it’s said that Job is the oldest book written.

This book write, in the middle of the OT.

But Job lived during the time of the patriarchs, Like Abraham, in the book of Genesis.

And we learn alot about Job in these first few verses.

He has a large family. A wife and 10 children.

He has alot of wealth. Wealth during the patriarchal times was based on how much livestock and servants you had. And Job had much.

But what’s more important is that Job was a man of God. And He led his family, as a man of God.

He’s said to be blameless, and upright. who feared God and turned away from evil. Offered offerings to God.

This does not mean that Job was perfect, for no man was perfect.

But his life and his worship were committed to God and living a holy life.

And there is wisdom in this simple truth.

The righteous will suffer.

I can not comprehend and I do not understand how there are Christians who have this belief that Christians will not suffer.

That if you have enough faith, or if you are in God’s will, then you will not suffer.

Well, that’s far from the truth.

Job is about to go through alot.

We have an entire book about wisdom for suffering.

God sent his only begotten Son. Jesus, and he suffered.

And so we need expect to suffer.

Because in life, there is no growth withouth suffering.

GK Chesterton said - Jesus promised the disciples three things - that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy and in constant trouble.

So we will suffer.

Our Faith frows when we suffer.

I mean who ever said, that bearing the cross for Christ would be easy.

But let’s see how Job’s suffering unfolds.

Job 1:6 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.”

Job 1:7 “The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.””

Job 1:8 “And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?””

Job 1:9 “Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason?”

Job 1:10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.”

Job 1:11 “But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.””

Job 1:12 “And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”

Now, this is a fascinating encounter between God and Satan.

It appears the angels of heaven were before God. And Satan comes along.

And we learn somethings about Satan.

1. Satan is subordinate to God. God is over Satan. Satan is not over God. And we see that here will Satan presenting Himself to God.

2. Satan goes to and from on earth. That means that Satan is not in hell.

John 12 and John 14 calls Satan, the ruler of this world.

He not in hell. He on earth. and He is going to and fro.

3. Satan is no omnipresent.

He goes to and fro. He’s not everywhere at once. Like God. He’s not God.

He’s confined to one location.

So when people say they are being attacked by Satan, I just want to say, Satan might have other, bigger things to worry about than you.

That does not mean his demons are not attacking you, but Satan, can’t be everywhere at once.

4. Satan is our adversary.

1 Peter 5:8 “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

He opposes who he can.

But he can only do what God permits him to do.

And we need to recognize this truth.

Job knows nothign about this encounter. We know.

We know God is sovereign.

He’s in control.

He speaks first to Satan.

He offers Job.

He knows Job will be faithful.

The righteous will suffer, but we do not suffer ourside thee will of God.

God knows.

God is still in control when theings are peaceful, and He’s in control of the storm.

But as we begin to see Job’s suffer.

Rest assured Church , God is doing something. He is accomplishing a work in Job’s life.

Next, notice. The rightouse suffer in various ways.

The righteous suffer in various ways.

Job 1:13 “Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,”

Job 1:14 “and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,”

Job 1:15 “and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.””

Job 1:16 “While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.””

Job 1:17 “While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.””

Job 1:18 “While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,” Job 1:19 “and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.””

So Job’s suffering begins with his wealth.

All his livestock and sheep and camels were taken or destroyed. His servant too were killed.

So all of Job’s wealth and riches were taken in an instant.

His first suffering was financially.

Maybe you’ve been there.

Maybe you’ve lost everying. Maybe a house first. Maybe a storm.

I remember when we had our house fire, It was devastating.

One moment we had a home and possessions, the next moment, we had nothing.

And as Job was hearing about this.

He is told his children were eating and drinking, and a great wind comes and the house falls on them and his 10 children are killed.

This is something no parent should have to go through.

Losing your children. your family.

But look at Job’s response.

Job 1:20 “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.”

Job 1:21 “And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”” Job 1:22 “In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”

- I think we need to remember this verse. We need to respoind this way when suffering comes.

- grieve, and wroship, and do not sin.

- You see suffering does one of two things.

- Suffering will either bring us closer to God, like it did with JOb.

- Or suffer will drive us away from God.

- You see suffering is a good test.

- It is a test of spiritual maturity.

Child of God, How will you respond on your day of suffering?

Will you run to God. Fall down, humble yourself.

Or will you turn your back on Him.

Well, we have a second encounter with God and Satan.

Job 2:1 “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord.” ONCE AGAIN WE SEE SATAN SUBMITTING TO GOD.

Job 2:2 “And the Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.””

Job 2:3 “And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.””

Job 2:4 “Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life.”

Job 2:5 “But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.””

Job 2:6 “And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.””

SO Satan tried, and failed. Took his finances, and his family.

So Satan thinks, that if he can make Job suffer in HIs flesh, then he would lose faith.

And God allows him, But Satan is not allowed to kill Him.

Job 2:7 “So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.”

Job 2:8 “And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.”

Job 2:9 “Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.””

Job 2:10 “But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”

The various ways Job suffered.

Suffering Financially.

Suffering Family.

Suffering Flesh (Physically.

Satan, strikes Job. And this is aweful.

From his feat to his head. with sores. Boiles.

So bad, Job takes a piece of pottery to scrape his skin.

But Job describes his condition even more later on.

Job 7:5 “My flesh is clothed with worms and dirt; my skin hardens, then breaks out afresh.”

Worms, his condition is so bad, HE IS COVERED WITH WORMS, this is probably Maggots.

Job 7:14 “then you scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions,”

sO HIS PHYSICALL SUFFERIN HAS MADE IT’S WAY INTO HIS DREAMS. AND HE’S TERRIFEIED. NIGHT TERROS TORMENT HIM.

Job 30:30 “My skin turns black and falls from me, and my bones burn with heat.”

So this man loses everthing.

wealth, his health, his famioly, except his wife.

And in all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Church, let me remind you as we close:

Understand God is sovereign over you suffering.

Friends, nothing you are going through is taking God by surprise.

He’s in control. He allows and permits the trials of life to come.

He allows and permits Satan , but that is only temporary.

And in God’s sovereignty, our suffering has a purpose.

God is accomplishing something.

When we lost our wealth, when we get sick and cancer comes, when our loved ones die.

God is accomplishing something.

On the other side of our suffering, is something good.

And as Job did not know and understand what God was doing, we don’t fully understand either.

But what he is doing, what is is accomplishing is a good thing.

And what he is doing, will always bring Himself glory.

Child of God, I don’t know what your going through

or what you are about to go through.

But God does.

And may the wisdom in these things prepare you, encourage you, and strengthen you in the days to come.

To trust in Jesus and rest in His will for your life.

Clsoing prayer: then talke about the fallen world. pray for those suffering.