Job has gone through more tragedy than most of us could bear. He’s lost his family, his fortune, and his health. He has no idea why this has occurred. In His mind – He’s done nothing but obey God. Why would God be judging Him?
His friends came to “cheer him up”. They are convinced that Job must have sinned, prompting God’s judgement on him. They’ve never seen it any other way…
Does God twist justice? Does the Almighty twist what is right? (v.3)
He goes on…
Your children must have sinned against Him, so their punishment was well deserved. (v.4)
Job’s friends counsel him to ask God to forgive him. Job has no idea what to do… “forgive me for what?” Job had already carefully evaluated his life. He doesn’t know what he’s done.
In many cases, suffering reflects God’s judgement because of sin – but not this time. Why do we experience suffering?
To get our attention
Just as Job’s friends think – sometimes our suffering is God’s way of getting our attention and causing us to stop and look to Him.
To grow us
God will always use suffering to grow us in our faith if we will allow Him to. We hear God clearer and grow more in suffering than in any other time.
To point others to Jesus
Sometimes our suffering is strictly designed to point others to Jesus. Paul and Silas were beaten and in jail in order for the Philippian jailer to see his need of Jesus. Others watch us as we suffer – it’s our greatest time for a strong witness.
To bring God glory
In the case of Job, the purpose of his suffering is strictly to bring God glory. That’s the goal of every believer.
By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor
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