Today’s Reading, Job 1-5
Focal Scripture: Job 1:12 ““Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, do not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.”
Suffering is part of life. It is also under the control of the Lord. I know for some people this can cause lots of frustration and even apprehension. However, this is a topic that must be taught in our homes, churches, and ministries. Suffering is coming for everyone and suffering is allowed and even instigated by God himself. Does that statement shock you? It shouldn’t, because it is biblical and I can prove it with scripture. Right before our reading today God asked Satan if he considered Job. God started the conversation of Job’s suffering. Then in Acts when God calls Paul we are told that he is a chosen instrument and will be shown how much he must suffer for the name of Christ.
In today’s focal verse we see an interesting conversation between God and Satan. First, Satan came to heaven, into God’s presence. God asked him directly where he came from before he entered heaven. Satan responded “roaming the Earth and walking around on it.” Then God said “ Have you considered my servant Job? No one on Earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns from evil.” Satan then challenged the Lord and said “Does Job fear God for nothing? You have also protected him. Strike him down and he will curse you to your face.” Then our focal verse comes into context and we learn that God gave Satan permission to inflict suffering on Job.
These verses and topic cause much distress for believers and unbelievers alike. Why? Because we clearly see God offered Job up to go through difficulties. We also see that God limited Satan in what he was allowed to do in Job’s life. He couldn’t go further than what the Lord allowed. What we must learn about suffering is simple and profound, simultaneously. Simple in the fact that suffering will come for everyone on Earth. Profound in that God doesn’t do the evil acts but he does give permission for them to take place. This should not cause us any distress or distrust in the Lord. Since he is sovereign, it should be no surprise that he is in control of every situation and circumstance.
So what does this mean for believers today and how do we approach suffering? It means that what we experience as believers is ordained and permissible in our lives. This should give us confidence to walk through any and every dark circumstance we encounter. Since the Lord is sovereign I can trust his plan. It also means we won’t experience anything that the Lord has not given permission to happen. No matter how bad it might be in the moment.
For the believer, suffering is intended to grow our faith in God. It reveals our character and our trust in the Lord. It pulls away every aspect of our faith that is shallow and based in ourselves. For the unbeliever, suffering is intended to show you, your need for a savior. Life is bigger than you and your suffering should point you to the creator of the universe.
Suffering is God’s greatest teacher and revealer. It shows a persons heart and belief system. It shows how they handle stress and how they handle faith. Suffering makes us more dependent upon the Lord. In God’s great plan we can trust his knowledge. We can have confidence he knows what is best even when it seems our world is falling apart.
So do you trust the Lord? Not just when things are good but when life is falling apart around you. If not, it is time to learn how to trust him on a deeper level. Suffering is not an accident, it is part of God’s redemptive work. Before you say “A good God wouldn’t do that, to good people.” Ask yourself if you meet the standard of good outlined in scripture. The answer to that, is none of us are good, which means suffering will happen to us all, this means we can be chiseled away and made stronger in our faith.
Trust God more than anything or anyone else. Your faith in suffering will reveal your heart of faith.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Job 6-9
