How Can a Good God Allow Suffering 8

How Can a Good God Allow Suffering? 8 -21 -11

How Can a Good God Allow Suffering? Job 1: 1 -8 1 There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. 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. 4 Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. 5 When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts. ” This was Job’s regular practice.

How Can a Good God Allow Suffering? Job 1: 1 -8 6 One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. 7“Where have you come from? ” the Lord asked Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on. ” 8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. ”

I. SOURCES OF SUFFERING Job 1: 13 -18 13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. ” 16 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. ” 17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. ”

I. SOURCES OF SUFFERING Job 1: 13 -18 18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. 19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. ” A. Moral Suffering B. Natural Suffering

II. RESPONSES TO SUFFERING A. Blame God Job 2: 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die. ”

II. RESPONSES TO SUFFERING B. Blame Yourself Job 2: 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.

II. RESPONSES TO SUFFERING C. Get God’s Perspective Job 38: 1 -11 1 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: 2“Who is that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? 3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. 4“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. 5 Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? 6 What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone 7 as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? 8“Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, 9 and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? 10 For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. 11 I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’

(Video- One Time Blind “Trust Fall”)

III. FIVE POSSIBLE PURPOSES FOR PAIN A. Direct Me Psalm 69: 29 I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.

III. FIVE POSSIBLE PURPOSES FOR PAIN B. Inspect Me Psalm 51: 3 -4 3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. 4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

III. FIVE POSSIBLE PURPOSES FOR PAIN C. Correct Me Hebrews 12: 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

III. FIVE POSSIBLE PURPOSES D. Protect Me Hosea 2: 6 -7 6“For this reason I will fence her in with thornbushes. I will block her path with a wall to make her lose her way. 7 When she runs after her lovers, she won’t be able to catch them. She will search for them but not find them. Then she will think, ‘I might as well return to my husband, for I was better off with him than I am now. ’

III. FIVE POSSIBLE PURPOSES E. Perfect Me James 1: 2 -3 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

III. FIVE POSSIBLE PURPOSES E. Perfect Me Job 42: 1 -6 1 Then Job replied to the Lord: 2“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. 3 You asked, ‘Who is that questions my wisdom with such ignorance? ’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. 4 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. ’ 5 I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. 6 I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance. ”

ACTION STEPS: o o Read Job 38 -42 o o Memorize James 1: 2 -3 Write a letter to God about your suffering and wait for His answer. Think of one person in your life who is suffering. Look for a way to “sit with them” this week.