When Bad Things Happen to Good People

Introduction

This five-week series explores characters from the Bible who experienced seasons of uncertainty—the “in-between” trials of life.

experienced seasons of uncertainty—the “in-between” trials of life. Job, Daniel,

Abraham, Paul and the disciples all experienced times of frustration, pain, suffering, and

Job,

difficult questions. We too experience these difficult times, and it’s vital that even in the

Daniel,

Abraham,

midst of hard circumstances the church relies on God to carry us through.

Paul and the disciples all experienced times of frustration, pain, suffering, and difficult questions.

We too experience these difficult times, and it’s vital that even in the midst of hard circumstances the church relies on God to carry us through.

I want to talk to you today from the topic “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.”

“When Bad Things Happen to Good People.”

Have you ever felt broken? Have you ever wondered why? Job’s story is often our story. Yet, even in the midst of pain and suffering, we can trust in the power of our creator. This story from the book of Job, provides comfort and encouragement to those experiencing a difficult circumstance.

Pieces|The book of job pt. 1

big idea of the series

Have you ever felt broken? Have you ever wondered why? Job’s story is often our story. Yet, even in the midst of pain and suffering, we can trust in the power of our creator. This six-week series serves as a snapshot of the book of Job, providing comfort and encouragement to those experiencing a difficult circumstance.

When Bad Things Happen to Good People

Sometimes bad things happen to good people and good people don’t understand why.

A long time ago old Job cried in his despair: “My sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. For the things which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me…. Trouble came.”

“Yet man is borne unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”

“Man that is born of a woman is of a few days, and full of trouble.”

No one should persuade themselves that they will escape these days and times of trial.

Kings and presidents and corporate executives and great men and mighty men and prophets and apostles and missionaries and preachers face troubles.

No one exempt, not even Moses or Elijah or Peter or Paul. You should not think to escape problems and trials.

Trouble can show its face in the deepest of depression and discouragement

(1) Disillusionment by unrealized goals.

(2) Hurt by unfriendly, unwarranted criticism

We will see in three scenes how Job never lost his faith in God but trusted him in times of suffering.

suffering.

Scene 1: Job’s Purity and Prosperity

Job was a Just Man vs.1

He was a blameless and had complete integrity.

He feared God and stayed away (turned away) from evil.

Job was a Family Man vs. 2

7 Sons and 3 Daughters

Job was a Great Man vs. 3

He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.

Job was an Accountable Man vs. 5

Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them.

For Job thought: Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts. This was Job’s regular practice.

Scene 2: Satan’s Proposition and God’s Permission vs. 6-12

The Adversary had a Proposition…and his Proposition questioned:

(1) Satan’s Proposition questioned:

Job’s Relationship vs. 9 (Are you really a child of God)

Job’s Faith vs. 10-11 (Are you in it for your Soul or for the Stuff)

Job’s Resolve vs. 11 (Are you in it to the end)

God’s Permission given with limits vs. 12

Notice that even though Job was a Great Man, he can’t see the events in heaven, he only sees his circumstances. We too can’t see life from God’s perspective; we must trust Him anyway.

He didn't see it coming but he stayed prayed up.

Scene 3: Satan’s Persecution and Job’s Patience vs. 13-22

Satan’s Persecution is Strategic:

Notice verse 16-18 (While). It is relentless, If it’s not one thing it’s another.

He attacked his finances, his family and his future.

He attacked with weather related instances (fire and wind)

He attacked with people (Sabeans and Chaldeans)

If that wasn’t enough each occasion someone was left behind to tell the whole story. Repeatedly.

Job’s Patience is seen vs. 20

In his Devotion to God

All that Job lost! Many of us would have reacted in anger and frustration.

Many would have turned on the Lord and cursed His name.

Not Job! His response was go before the Lord in worship. (Ill. He shaved his head and rent his clothes. Both of these acts were signs that Job was in mourning and that he was devastated, but the fact that he worshiped proved that he was not broken,)

When Job considered this, his response is recorded in . Job says that even if the Lord takes his life, he will still trust in the Lord. What about you?

When Job considered this, his response is recorded in . Job says that even if the Lord takes his life, he will still trust in the Lord. What about you?

Never quit!In his actions verse 20 (In his devastation he arose let it out and worshipped)

Never quit!In his actions verse 20 (In his devastation he arose let it out and worshipped)

In his Dependence on God verse 21-22

When Job opened his mouth, it was not to complain or to whine. When He spoke, it was to praise the Lord and to declare his continued dependence upon the power and will of God.

When we are traveling through the valley, it would do us well to remember a few truths. Allow me to refresh your memories this evening.

When we are traveling through the valley, it would do us well to remember a few truths that are easily forgotten by us Baptist folk. Allow me to refresh your memories this evening.

God's ways are not our ways, so we will never figure Him out -

God's ways are not our ways, so we will never figure Him out -

We can produce nothing through self-effort, so we must trust Him for everything -

We can produce nothing through self-effort, so we must trust Him for everything -

We can accomplish nothing through worry - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Him for everything -

We can accomplish nothing through worry -

Every trial, no matter how bad it is, is a good thing for you -

Every trial, no matter how bad it is, is a good thing for you -