Untitled Sermon (2)

Why does God allow believers to suffer?

Is God at fault?

Where is his sovereignty in it?

What function does it serve?

How should the believer respond to suffering?

What does the Bible say about suffereing?

Why does God allow believers to suffer?

It is hard to understand why our loving father would let us endure some of the most painful situations. It is natural for us to question where is God’s will in all of this, and ask the question the question why he is allowing us to go through this. It is natural for us because, we are sinners by nature and our fallen nature immediately springs up against God to question him. In Job’s lament he too asked the question, why would God allow this to happen to him, to which he was met by God in a whirlwind and strongly interrogated. We too, ought to be careful when questioning the motives of the Lord of the Universe.

This most basic question of why, stems from an ancient principle, an unbiblical, but a prevalent one that saturated the minds of the ancient world, and the majority of minds to this day. Bad things shouldn’t happen to good people. The notion that if one is good, good things will happen, and that if one is bad, bad things will happen. This concept like many other lies from the devil has a little bit of truth mixed into it to get us to by the bait and sink our teeth into it, only to find ourselves hooked and led to its logical conclusion that God has made a mistake in letting us suffer.

Thanks be to God, that we do not serve a God that can make mistakes, not even smalll ones. But our God is omniscient, meaning he knows all things. He knows the future, he knows the past, he knows all things in between. He knows us all incredibly intimately, even to the amount of hair follicles on our head. So can God who knows alll things, literally all things, make a mistake? Of course not, its impossible. And yet when we begin to ask the question why, that is the path that we begin to take.

In the life of Job, God had abundantly blessed him with much fortune and favor. He had many children, many cattle, much respect in his town, and Much wealth. All of these things were blessings from God. Yet, as the Bible states, Satan came before God and make the accusation that Job only loved God because of all these blessings. God being omniscient knowing that that wasn’t the case, granted Satan permission to test Job’s faith. We know followed thereafter. A series of utter calamities and tragedies of which most humans never experience. And yet, as the word says, in all these things Job did not sin with lips, nor charge God foolishly.

Job was ignorant to this heavenly court battle of Satan v Job. He was completely clueless to the circumstances that our God allowed for him to be in. Only the reader is aware of the larger picture and even then, depending on when you read this story, you still can’t view the entire picture. In the end God never explains to Job why he allowed all the suffereing to happen to him. Job never came to find out that it was all a trial, that Satan was accusing him. So with that being said try to view things from the perspective of Job, and lets learn from his response, which is most proper for all saints to imitate.

When God answered Job, it was done in a most fearsome way. All of the questions that had been asked of Job, and all of the horrible advice that had been offered by his friends quickly melted away at the rebuke of the LORD. Let’s read Job 38:1-3, V2 - “Who is this the darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge” = You can pollute wise counsel by giving an uninformed opinion on a matter you are uneducated on. This is exactly what Job’s friends were guilty of, having given him such poor advice. However, in response to Job, he directs that statement on him. V3 - “Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.” = So the interrogation and questioning of God begins. Put on your proper clothes, put on your gear and answer what I am going to ask, in other words. V4 - “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? = and right from there it was over for Job. Who could answer that? All the question God asked Job were a resounding No Lord, No Lord.

So what do we learn from this reply? That God is the almighty one, that he is the creator of all things, of us, of Job, and he is aware of all things and amazingly sustains all things! Look at V41 - “Who provide the for the raven his food? When his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. He feeds the ravens his food! Do you know how many ravens there are in the earth? He feeds them all. Does he not feed the eagles? Does he not feed the lions? Does he not feed the caterpillars? Does he not feed even the ants? Do you see the wisdom of God yet? God doesn’t answer Job with an explanation of why he did this, or with a recounting of the events that took place in heaven. God’s answer is this, I am completely sovereign ever all things. Look at my power and behold my glory! When we consider the glory of power of the LORD, we begin to see the picture. How could we accuse God or question him, when he is OBVIOUSLY aware of this trial? If he takes care of the Ravens little ones, why wouldn’t he take care of his own children? Do you see the absurdity?!

Let’s read Job 40:1-2 , “Moreover, the LORD answered Job and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it.” When we questions God’s plan we actually are contending with the LORD. We’re saying God, This hurts, why are you doing this, you shouldn’t do this. In essence, we are reproving God and telling him what he should do, which none would dare to do. Look at Job’s response in V4 - “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hands upon my mouth.” = I am a sinner, What could I possibly say to you o Lord. I will cover my mouth, that is all that I can do. I must cover my mouth!

We too would be wise to take the advice of Job and cover our mouths. And yet, God in his mercy, has given even more revelation on the issue of suffereing. Let’s look at what James under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said, go to James 5:10-11. Look at V7 first - “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman Waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” = We see here that the context is about believers having patience, patience in suffering is taught in this epistle, and we see also, patience for ones harvest. Look at V10 - “Take my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the the name of the LORD, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” As Stephen said before his stoning, “Not one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute”. All men of God, all believers of all time have experienced suffering. That should be comforting to know, that you’re not alone in this. And in fact God has allowed and used the suffering of his children to accomplish his great and mighty purposes. Not only so, but he also uses the suffering of his children to be encouragement to his children! It’s wonderful and incredible how God can just accomplish such impossible feats.

As the Bible says, in Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Key words, “Patience” and “Comfort” of “The Scriptures”. Do you see where I’m going with this? Look at James 5:11 - “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of th patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” When we look back at the lives if believers in the Bible, we rejoice at their faithfulness. We consider those who persevere as blessed, or happy. James then gets even more specific and points to the life of Job. He points to Job’s patience, as the Bible says after all the calamities struck, “Neither did he sin with his lips, nor charge God foolishly.” Remember, Job didn’t know why God had allowed such sorrows to fall on him. Job needed some correction on his understanding of suffering but he was in the end faithful to God. James also points out the conclusion of the life of Job, its written in the last chapter of Job that, he had double the amount of the things he lost and had another 7 kids. A commentator said, the reason he didn’t have another 14 kids was because he already had 7 waiting for him in the presence of the Lord, a total of 14. I like that answer.

Even though God had allowed all of Job’s belongings to be taken away, God richly blessed and restored his suffering servant Job. James reminds his readers that, even though they are going through such horrific trials and persecutions, that God had a purpose in it as he did with Job. Believers should look to the sovereignty of God in times of distress and be comforted in knowing its a part of Gods plan. Though we may not understand it, we can trust in the character of God and leave it at that. And that’s exactly what James does in the end of the verse, “That the Lord is pitiful, and of tender mercy”. Our God shows pity to his children, he even pities those who aren’t his children. Nobody can ever accuse God ever, of being uncompassionate. He is undeniably demonstrated himself to be compassionate and merciful.

Believers can endure hardships and trials by looking to the proven and tested character of God, who is always found faithful! You want to know how to think about your suffering, whether current or coming? Look to the character of God and rest in him. Through fellowship and worship of our God, comfort will come. I’d like to spend our remaining time looking at all some of the great verses of God’s compassion and mercy.

Exodus 34:6

David when he sinned by numbering the people and God had given him a choice of his punishment knew that all he could do was fling himself on the mercy of God and submit himself to him. 1 Chronicles 21:13

2 Chronicles 30:6-9 , even though the people of Israel did not deserve mercy and forgiveness , they knew they could receive it if they turned from their sin and returned to their God.

Psalm 78:1-40. Look at the mercies upon mercies that he shows his people Israel. Is he not a compassionate God? is he not wonderful and merciful? How much more then should we trust him with our very lives?

Can we know beyond a shadow of doubt that our God cares for us? Look at what a cost he paid on the cross. His only begotten son, entered the world, lived a sinless life, endured temptations and trials and always overcame, was rejected and mocked by his own creation, and was abused and killed on a cross, to accomplish the purpose of God. And yet, he was raised again from the dead on the third day, vindicating his sacrifice and striking the death blow to Satan’s kingdom, and is seated forever at the right hand of God and exalted above every name, to accomplish the will of God in purchasing for himself a people, a bride to give to his son to show his great love.

Is there a purpose in our suffering? Look to the cross and ask yourself, what was the purpose of Jesus’ sufffering and you will have your answer. You may not know the exact reason for your suffering, but know that a holy, loving, merciful God is working all things together for Good, that he is completely aware of your pain, and invites you to come to him for comfort that never ends. Cast your cares upon Jesus, for he abundantly cares for you. Nothing will separate you from the love of God, not persecution, not trials, not famine, nor suffering. We are held in the fathers hand, and no one can pluck us out from his care.