Anderson Hills

Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu initially did not speak a word to Job. His suffering was too great. They remained silent for a week. But once they started speaking, telling Job what they really thought, Job probably wished they had remained silent. From their speeches, we see that for them the reason for suffering is very simple. You reap what you sow. You get out of life what you put into it. You are responsible for your actions and suffering is a consequence of your actions. The implication is that Job has sinned. This principle is partly right, but also partly wrong. Not all suffering is because of sin. Elihu touched on this when he told Job that God always has a purpose in our suffering. Remember, it could be for our good, others gain, and for His glory.

Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu initially did not speak a word to Job. His suffering was too great. They remained silent for a week. But once they started speaking, telling Job what they really thought, Job probably wished they had remained silent. From their speeches, we see that for them the reason for suffering is very simple. You reap what you sow. You get out of life what you put into it. You are responsible for your actions and suffering is a consequence of your actions. The implication is that Job has sinned. This principle is partly right, but also partly wrong. Not all suffering is because of sin. Elihu touched on this when he told Job that God always has a purpose in our suffering. Remember, it could be for our good, others gain, and for His glory.

After experiencing extreme loss and pain, there is nothing left for Job to do but lament, mourn, grieve, express sorrow. He refuses to falsely incriminate himself and he refuses to blame or abandon God. But Job does not hesitate to express his anguish in the strongest terms. His lament is almost entirely in the form of questions. The cause of his suffering is a mystery. Indeed, it may be the greatest mystery of faith. Why does God allow people He loves to suffer? Job does not know the answer, so he candidly asks honest questions. He persistently appeals to God for help, answers, guidance, and mercy. From Job we learn to step into the suffering, into the circumstances, talk about it, weep about it, take it to God in prayer.

After experiencing extreme loss and pain, there is nothing left for Job to do but lament, mourn, grieve, express sorrow. He refuses to falsely incriminate himself and he refuses to blame or abandon God. But Job does not hesitate to express his anguish in the strongest terms. His lament is almost entirely in the form of questions. The cause of his suffering is a mystery. Indeed, it may be the greatest mystery of faith. Why does God allow people He loves to suffer? Job does not know the answer, so he candidly asks honest questions. He persistently appeals to God for help, answers, guidance, and mercy. From Job we learn to step into the suffering, into the circumstances, talk about it, weep about it, take it to God in prayer.

One of the hardest parts of suffering as Christians is, that in the midst of it, we must come face-to-face with a sovereign God. He is utterly in control. Scripture describes our God as one who is intimately aware of our lives, and sometimes that can be most difficult when we are suffering. Suffering and sovereignty go together. Neither erases the other. God’s sovereignty does not mean Christians will never again face another problem, nor does suffering mean that our God is not totally in control. But, as Job came to know, God will use every situation for our gain, others’ good, and His glory. Job experiences almost every kind of suffering, and his response is one that is above reproach. It is one of humble surrender.

One of the hardest parts of suffering as Christians is, that in the midst of it, we must come face-to-face with a sovereign God. He is utterly in control. Scripture describes our God as one who is intimately aware of our lives, and sometimes that can be most difficult when we are suffering. Suffering and sovereignty go together. Neither erases the other. God’s sovereignty does not mean Christians will never again face another problem, nor does suffering mean that our God is not totally in control. But, as Job came to know, God will use every situation for our gain, others’ good, and His glory. Job experiences almost every kind of suffering, and his response is one that is above reproach. It is one of humble surrender.

Jesus has a two-fold mission for His church: edification of the body, or helping those in the church to grow spiritually and become more like Jesus; and evangelism of the world, or sharing the Gospel to those outside. This week we will hear what we feel God is calling us to be outside the walls.

Jesus has a two-fold mission for His church: edification of the body, or helping those in the church to grow spiritually and become more like Jesus; and evangelism of the world, or sharing the Gospel to those outside. This week we will hear what we feel God is calling us to be outside the walls.

Jesus has a two-fold mission for His church: edification of the body, or helping those in the church to

grow spiritually and become more like Jesus; and evangelism of the world, or sharing the Gospel to

those outside. This week we will hear what we feel God is calling us to be inside the walls.

Jesus has a two-fold mission for His church: edification of the body, or helping those in the church to

grow spiritually and become more like Jesus; and evangelism of the world, or sharing the Gospel to

those outside. This week we will hear what we feel God is calling us to be inside the walls.