Why do believers suffer? (Job 2:9-10)

Introduction

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 suffering?

Why does God allow believers to suffer?

These are some questions I hope to answer as we look at our text this evening, and examine what else the scriptures have to say about the life of Job. It is hard to understand why our loving father would let us endure some of the most painful situations. It is in fact natural for us to question, “where is God’s will in all of this”, and to ask the question the question “why are you allowing me to go through this”. It is natural for us, because, we are sinners by nature and our fallen nature often springs up immediately against God to question him in times of hardship. 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 then, ought to be careful when questioning the motives of the Absolute Lord of the Universe.

This most basic question of why me, stems from an ancient principal. An unbiblical and very 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. We see this mentality played out in Luke 13:1-5 , where it reads:

Luke 13:1–5 KJV 1900

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Or How about when Jesus came across blind and lame people, and his disciples would ask, “who’s sin was it that caused this fate? His parents or his?”

We also see results of such ideology in the Job’s friends. Even though Job continued to hold to his innocence his friends relentlessly accused him of harboring sin in his life. 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, because we are good people and therefore we shouldn’t suffer, so either God is unfair, or he’s fallacious.

But thanks be to God, that we do not serve a God that can make mistakes, not even small ones. But our God is omniscient, meaning “he knows all things”. He knows the future, he knows the past , and he knows all things in between. He knows us all incredibly intimately, even to the amount of hair follicles on our head. So the question becomes this, can God who knows all things, literally all things, make a mistake? Of course not, its impossible. He is not like man that he should lie. He does not make mistakes. And yet, when we ask the question “Why God”, that is what we are insinuating.

In the life of Job, God had abundantly blessed him with much fortune and favor. Job had much wealth, many cattle, and a large family. He also was an outstanding member of the community and well respected in his town. All of these things were blessings from God. Yet, as the Bible states, Satan came before God and to 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 what followed thereafter...

A series of utter calamities and tragedies of which most humans could never imagine. And yet, as the word says, “in all this 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 him to be in. Only the reader is aware of the larger picture. In the end, God never explains to Job why he allowed all that suffering to happen to him. Job never came to find out that it was all a trial, that Satan was accusing God of favoritism, and that God through this was demonstrating his own glory and that saving faith can not be destroyed. Amen. 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.

First though, I’d like us to look and see some of Job’s arguments and see where he’s at before God responded to him. Remember, all of his friends have been giving him horrible advice and stating that the reason for his suffering is because of his great sin. Lets read it together.

Job 30:18-31

Job 30:18–31 (KJV 1900)

By the great force of my disease is my garment changed:

It bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.

He hath cast me into the mire,

And I am become like dust and ashes.

I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me:

I stand up, and thou regardest me not.

Thou art become cruel to me:

--“What your doing God inst fair to me” “This is unreasonable”--

With thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.

Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it,

And dissolvest my substance.

For I know that thou wilt bring me to death,

And to the house appointed for all living.

Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave,

Though they cry in his destruction.

Did not I weep for him that was in trouble?

Was not my soul grieved for the poor?

---“God why are you punishing me? Cant you see that I’ve behaved uprightly?” — Which by the way, he did, but he’s missing the point still.--

When I looked for good, then evil came unto me:

And when I waited for light, there came darkness.

My bowels boiled, and rested not:

The days of affliction prevented me.

I went mourning without the sun:

I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.

I am a brother to dragons,

And a companion to owls.

My skin is black upon me,

And my bones are burned with heat.

My harp also is turned to mourning,

And my organ into the voice of them that weep.

Job 31:1–8 (KJV 1900)

I made a covenant with mine eyes;

Why then should I think upon a maid?

For what portion of God is there from above?

And what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?

Is not destruction to the wicked?

And a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?

Doth not he see my ways,

And count all my steps?

----“God, can’t you see you’ve got the wrong guy?”----

If I have walked with vanity,

Or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;

Let me be weighed in an even balance,

That God may know mine integrity.

If my step hath turned out of the way,

And mine heart walked after mine eyes,

And if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;

Then let me sow, and let another eat;

Yea, let my offspring be rooted out.

----“God, would you please try me in court? Then you’ll see that i’m innocent, and that this suffering is uncalled for.”---

Lets be honest, though we may not say these exact words, that is where our hearts were. When God answered Job, it was done in a most fearsome way. Everything thus far that was said to 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

Job 38:1–3 KJV 1900

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel By words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

V2 - “Who is this the darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge”

You know, you can really pollute wise counsel by giving an uninformed opinion on a matter you’re uneducated on. You could really blow it. This is exactly what Job’s friends were guilty of, having given him such poor advice. However, in response to Job and his statements, 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 you answer what I am going to ask.

V4 - “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?

anddddddddddddddd, right from there, it was over for Job. Who could answer that? All the questions that God would ask Job were a resounding Not me Lord, Not me Lord.

So what do we learn from this very stern reply?

That God is the almighty one. That he is the creator of all things. He’s the maker of us, of Job, and he is aware of all things and amazingly sustains all things! Look at Job 38:39-41

Job 38:39–41 (KJV 1900)

Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion?

Or fill the appetite of the young lions,

When they couch in their dens,

And abide in the covert to lie in wait?

Who provideth 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. He feeds the eagles, he feeds the lions, he feeds the ravens, he feeds the caterpillars, he feeds the ants! Do you see the wisdom and glory of God yet? Do you see what God is saying in his reply? 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 over all things. Look at my power and behold my glory! When we consider the glory and power of the LORD, we start to see the picture. How could we accuse God or question him of cruelty or carelessness, 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?!

In the words of our Lord in Matthew 7:9-11

Matthew 7:9–11 KJV 1900

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

It is a ridiculous conclusion that God would somehow forget about us, or do something to us that was evil or unfair.

Let’s read Job 40:1-2

Job 40:1–2 KJV 1900

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 so openly. Look at Job’s response in Job 40:4

Job 40:4 KJV 1900

Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand 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! I must repent in ashes and sackcloth.

We too would be wise to take the advice of Job and cover our mouths when questions arise, at least in the onset of the events that were experiencing.

And yet, God in his mercy, has given us more revelation on the issue of suffering. Let’s look at what James under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said, go to James 5:7-11 , where were going to land is V10 and 11, but for context sake we’ll look at the previous verses.

Lets read V7-9 first - James 5:7-9

James 5:7–9 KJV 1900

7 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. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

We see then that the context is about believers having patience. Patience in suffering, Patience for one another, and an illustration of such required patience, that is to have, patience for ones harvest. Whats the motivation of such patience? The Judge standeth before the door, The Lord Jesus is near, even at the door. Lets continue,

Look at V10 now - James 5:10

James 5:10 KJV 1900

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

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, including the Lord of them all, the Lord Jesus. That should be comforting to know, that you’re not alone in this. In fact, Hebrews 2:18 tells us

Hebrews 2:18 (KJV 1900)

18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Because he, Jesus, suffered being tempted , he is able to come to the aid of believers and bring them aid! Our Lord cares that much about us.

God has allowed and used the sufferings of his children to accomplish great and mighty purposes, the grandest being, the redemption and purchase of all the saints of all time on the cross.

Not only so, but he also uses the suffering of believers to be an encouragement to other believers!

As the Bible says, in Romans 15:4

Romans 15:4 (KJV 1900)

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

James 5:11 KJV 1900

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

In the account of Job, we learn of patience which grants us comfort in our trials. These gifts are found in the scriptures, and cause us to rejoice in hope of God in times of need.

When we look back at the lives of 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 and zooms in on his patience. 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 the book of Job that, he had double the amount of the things he lost and had another 7 kids.

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 has a purpose in it, as he also had a purpose in Job’s. We then 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 in James 5:11

James 5:11 (KJV 1900)

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord.......”that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

Our God shows pity to his children. We have a God that cares, who loves, and shows compassion to his children.

Psalms 103:13-14 says

Psalm 103:13–14 KJV 1900

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

Nobody can ever accuse God ever, of not being compassionate. He has undeniably demonstrated himself to be compassionate and merciful.

Believers then 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.

As we gaze upon our God and behold his glories and his testimonies of great power and love, and as we look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, we’ll come to trust more in him and be comforted in our sorrows.

As were reminded of how mightily God delivers his people, we can then appropriate that to ourselves and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that our God will deliver us this suffering.

That doesn’t always mean that we’ll get what we want. But we have his word that we’ll be strengthened to endure it. We can then find rest and peace knowing that our God is in control, and that this is for my benefit somehow, that his wisdom is far above ours. So rather than doubt, lets gladly put our hope and confidence in God.

I’d like to spend our remaining time just looking at some of the great verses of God’s compassion and mercy. In any trial, we ought to look at character of God, and by doing, so we’ll come to rely on him for our deliverance.

Exodus 34:6 KJV 1900

6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

1 Chronicles 21:13 KJV 1900

13 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the Lord; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.

2 Chronicles 30:6–9 KJV 1900

6 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7 And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see. 8 Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. 9 For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.

Psalm 78:37–40 KJV 1900

37 For their heart was not right with him, Neither were they stedfast in his covenant. 38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: Yea, many a time turned he his anger away, And did not stir up all his wrath. 39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. 40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, And grieve him in the desert!

CLOSING

Can we know beyond a shadow of doubt that our God cares for us? Of course. Look at what a cost he paid for us 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. He was raised again from the dead on the third day, which vindicating his sacrifice stroke a death blow to Satan’s kingdom, and is seated now forever at the right hand of God and exalted above every name, to again, accomplish the will of God.

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 for those who love him, for those called according to his purpose, and that he is completely aware of your pain, and invites you to come to him for comfort that can never run out. He tells us to “Cast your cares upon him, for he abundantly cares for us”. and that Nothing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, not persecution, not trials, not famine, nor suffering. We are held safely in the fathers hand, and no one can pluck us out from it.

If nothing else remember this

Psalm 42:11 KJV 1900

11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Hope thou, in God. In times of trials, Hope thou, in God. Trust the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.

CLOSE IN PRAYER.