God's story in your suffering

Job’s life seemed picture-perfect. God was at work in Job’s heart, allowing him to be characterized as a man who was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1). He was blessed with a loving wife, a large family, a thriving business, and abundant wealth. He was described as “the greatest of all the people of the east” (Job 1:3). If you are wondering, this was not a description from his employees who wanted a raise! This is how God described Job! Everything was great in Job’s life…until it wasn’t. Satan showed up and everything changed.

Jim makes robots. God does not. He created humanity in his image, giving us communicable attributes and free will to choose our paths and make decisions. This flows from the well of God’s love. He loves us so much and desires our love so strongly that he gives us the free will to make personal choices. As we saw last time, God could make evil nonexistent or free humanity to choose. God does not force his love on us; instead, he grants us the freedom to choose.

Satan, who embodies evil, was allowed to inflict severe emotional and physical pain on Job to prove his case. This passage raises essential questions: Where did Satan come from? Why is he standing before God? And why did God allow Satan to inflict pain on Job?

We have followed Job through his suffering, questions, and restoration. Now, let’s reconsider and address some of the inevitable issues that the book of Job brings to light.

We have completed our journey through Job. Over the next few days, we will reflect on what we have learned. Job conveys many profound theological truths and raises several important theological questions. We will revisit some of those truths and questions.

Job never broke. Satan accused Job of loving God solely for the blessings he received. The devil speculated that Job would curse God to his face if those blessings were withdrawn (Job 1:11, 2:5). Therefore, Job was tested. He faced overwhelming emotional and physical pain and endured harsh criticism from his friends; nonetheless, he prayed for them. Eventually, Job accused God— a sin for which he later repented. Through all of this, Job’s faith never wavered. The Lord honored Job’s prayer for his three friends and blessed him again.

So, let’s suppose someone has hurt you. Their words were reckless and pierced like a sword. They insisted that you had done something wrong and refused to listen to your defense. They came at you again and again. And then…God told you to pray for them. That is what God instructed Job to do.

Job’s friends tried to persuade him that the tragedies in his life were the result of sin. Job knew this was not true. He had trusted in God alone, by grace alone, through faith alone. That initial repentance empowered him to live a life devoted to God. Because God transformed his heart, Job led a blameless, upright, and obedient life. Job never claimed perfection, but he was adamant that, with the Lord’s help, he had been striving to follow him closely.

Job was ready to challenge the Almighty and did not hold back with his questions. God, in turn, did not hold back with his answers. He told Job, "You were not present at creation; you cannot control my creation, nor can you overpower two of the great creatures I made.” God then asked, “Who are you to question me when you cannot comprehend the mind of the Creator, control the ways of the Creator, or conquer what I created?” When confronted by God, Job reacted in two ways: first, he was humbled, and then he repented.