Trusting A Good God When Suffering Comes

Job

Job was an exceptional man, he stands as an example of one who walked with God and even though He was walking in righteousness, God still sent storms into his life. Notice how the Spirit of God describes Job as he guides the author of this book to write about him.

Job 1:1 ESV

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.

We see here in our text that Job was a blameless man, that he was an upright man, who feared the living God and turned away from evil. Just by this description given we can see that Job was a man of integrity, that he was one who did not fall into temptation easily and that his heart was wrapped up in the presence of the God he served. But thats not where the description ends.

We can also see that Job as a result of His faithfulness to God was a blessed man!

Job 1:2 ESV

There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.

Job 1:3 ESV

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.

This man was wealthy he was of good reputation and was even a well known man, as he was called the “greatest of all the people of the East.”

There is no doubt that this would have been a man you would have liked to know, famous, wealthy, God honoring, nice family.....

I mean isn’t the utter definition of what the world would consider blessed?

But the description of Job continues when God Himself speaks about Job this is what He says

Job 1:8 ESV

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?”

You know its one thing when people talk good about you its quite another to have the God of heaven speaking well of you this man was blessed beyond measure!

Job had alot going for him, but even with all that being said..... Job still faced problems

Problem #1:

REBELLIOUS KIDS

Job 1:4–5 ESV

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. 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.

Job 1:4

We have learned already that Job feared the Lord and he did so especially with his children. He had sons who would have parties and feasts who would bring their sisters and get drunk with them, and here we find Job with the heart of a loving and concerned father waking up early to cry out to God on behalf of his kids.

When we see families with children who are struggling, what do we think?

“Their parents must not be doing a good job raising them.”

“Them young ins need home training”

We think this because from a young age we were all taught or have learned that the way children behave is a reflection of their parents. We teach our children this don’t we?

Though in many cases rebellious children could be the result of poor parenting, this is not alway the case. Many Godly families have been heartbroken over their children’s rebellion.

Such was the case for Job, He loved his children, he prayed, and interceded for his children every time they would hold their feasts hoping that God would not hold their foolish sins against them.

So Jobs first struggle was rebellious children, but from the text this was all we can determine was going wrong in his life. While this was a struggle nothing could prepare Job for what was coming.

We can only see whats in front of our eyes, as a result we think our problems are big but they pale in comparison to what others are facing, or even what we will be facing soon. This reality should lead us to find joy even in the little struggle of life because we do not know what tomorrow will bring.

Job didn’t have any idea what was about to come his way. Most of the time we do not either.

we have an enemy who will attack us! The Bible teaches us this truth and we must remain alert knowing this!

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

We shouldn’t be surprised when we try to live for God’s glory and everything falls apart we should expect it!

THE EVIL ONE’S PLAN

Job 1:6 ESV

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.

Why did they come before God?

To “step up to”

The evil entourage sought to stand against god and anyone who stood for Him.

THE SOVEREIGN GOD’S RESPONSE

Job 1:7–8 ESV

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.” 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 1:7-

God sets forth Job as an example because there is nothing more defeating to Satan than a man or woman who seeks God’s glory more than anything else in this life.

Satan says hey wait a minute this isn’t fair lets level the playing field and see how your precious Job will treat you.

Job 1:9–11 ESV

Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 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. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”

Job 1:9

Satan proclaims what is true about most humans: WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL HE KNOWS HOW TO PRAISE YA, BUT LET SOME THINGS GO BAD AND HE WILL CURSE YOU

Why do we tend to think God is good when things are good and doubt Him when trouble comes?

It was God who allowed the coming trouble!

Job 1:12 ESV

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.

God gave Satan’s permission to touch any area of his life he chose, but he could not take Job’s life!

THE STORM COMES

Job 1:13–14 ESV

Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,

Job 1:13

Job 1:13–19 ESV

Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 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.” 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.” 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.” 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, 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.”

Job 1:13-

Job 1:15 ESV

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.”

PROBLEM #2

THE LOSS OF POSSESSIONS

For years Job had been known as the wealthy blessed man of the region and now God allows Satan to strike his livelihood!

How would Job respond to this?

KIRK COBAIN

INVESTORS

DAVE RAMSEY

When possessions are taken away people can feel as though they have NOTHING, when in reality possessions are NOTHING.

Before we can see how Job reacts a new messenger arrives:

Job 1:16 ESV

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 1:16

Apparently fire of some kind fell down from Heaven and struck his servants and sheep!

Job 1:17 ESV

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.”

More bad news!

Just when you think Job is about to respond the worst happens

Job 1:18 ESV

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 1:18–19 ESV

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, 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.”

In one day in one moment of time Job lost it all, his possessions, his servants, his heard, and worst of all his children.

Job’s Response

WORSHIP

Job 1:20–22 ESV

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 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.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Job 1:20-