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Writer's pictureBible Brian

Jobly is Godly


Knowing God's power is one thing, knowing His character is another. In our simplistic human minds, it is easy to make the mistake of thinking that because God can protect us from suffering, therefore God must stop us from suffering. Thus, when we suffer, we can often turn on God, whether in fear or in anger.


When he suffered great tragedy, Job did neither of these things. On the one hand, Job was confident enough in his Godly conduct to know that his suffering was not some form of punishment. That's not to say God never punishes a believer with suffering. The Bible is quite clear on this, God disciplines whom He loves (Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:6), and so if you do something wrong, believe God might punish you in order to correct your behaviour. And this is a great expression of love.


But sometimes, we suffer in spite of, and maybe even because of righteous conduct. This is when we have the greatest motive to curse God. "Really God? I've done everything you've asked of me, and yet I am still suffering? God, how dare you allow this to happen?" But Job took the opposite approach. Rather than curse God for the bad, Job praised God for the good. "Should we accept only good from God, and not adversity?"


See, one thing we forget is that without God, we literally have nothing. Every breath of air is a gift from Him, ultimately meaning His greatest enemies have no just complaint against Him. When we receive good from Him, we are all too happy to accept it, even taking it for granted. It would be almost impossible to do anything else. Can you imagine thanking Him for every breath? It takes as much to thank Him out loud, so the best we can really do is be generally grateful. But that same God, in both wisdom and grace, often allows us to suffer. And as much as this may distress us, it is ok.


Job is certainly not the only one who is recorded to have suffered in the Bible. We see countless examples of suffering. Sometimes individuals, sometimes groups, sometimes entire nations. Sometimes, the suffering is explained. Joseph's trials, for example, ultimately end up moving his household, and thus the future of the Jews, to Egypt, where they avoided starvation. Joseph's response to his treacherous brothers, who had sold him into slavery? "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." (Genesis 50:19-20). So Joseph eventually got an explanation for his suffering. Not while he was suffering, but in hindsight, he got such a satisfactory answer for his suffering that he wept tears of joy while he forgave the ones who caused it.


But what explanation did Job get for his suffering? In truth, none. The best explanation he got ultimately boils down to "I'm God, I know what I'm doing. You're a man, you don't have a clue. Shut up, let me do my job, go back to worshiping me."


As Job eventually found out the hard way, it's never a good idea to argue with God. If, in His wisdom, He sees fit to explain why you suffer, then accept the explanation gratefully. If not? Well if God has not seen fit to explain it, it is not fitting for you to know. Just rejoice that He knows, and remember the blessings He has given you in the past. Know this: All things work together for the good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. In goodness and adversity, God knows what He's doing. Trust Him to do it.

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