The existence of widespread suffering and evil in the world contradicts the notion of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God. If such a God existed, one would expect a world without the immense suffering we observe.

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. —Job 1:1

Job was…

1. Blameless
2. Upright
3. Feared God
4. Shunned evil

Job’s faith was the very thing that would hold him together in the storm.

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. —Matthew 7:24-27

One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them… Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” —Job 1:6-12

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. —Job 1:20-22

On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him… Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” —Job 2:1-6

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. —Job 2:10

Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it. —Job 4:7-8

But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. —Job 13:3-5

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him —Job 13:15

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. —Job 19:25

Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? —Job 38:1-5

Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this. “What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings? Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years! —Job 38:17-21

Keys to Understanding Suffering

1. Turn Things Around
2. Find Perspective

The existence of widespread suffering and evil in the world contradicts the notion of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God. If such a God existed, one would expect a world without the immense suffering we observe.

Back:

Front:

“What would really satisfy us would be a God who said of anything we happened to like doing, ‘What does it matter so long as they are contented?’ We want, in fact, not so much a Father in Heaven as a grandfather in heaven — a senile benevolence who, as they say, ‘liked to see young people enjoying themselves,’ and whose plan for the universe was simply that it might be truly said at the end of each day, ‘a good time was had by all.” —C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. —2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. —2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Parallels Between Job and Christ

• Job was righteous
• Satan tried to destroy him / God allowed the suffering
• Job suffered loss
• Friends betrayed Job
• God is silent in the moments of suffering
• Job was rewarded for his faithfulness