Heroes: Job – The Heart Broken Believer

Heroes: Life Lessons from Faith Champions

Part 13 – Job – The Heart-Broken Believer

Job

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. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. Job 1:1-3

3 Reasons for Suffering

1) We will suffer when we .

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

2) We will suffer when we .

20 …If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15:20.

16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:16

3) We can suffer for no .

Lesson #1 – No matter what amount of suffering we experience in this life, it will be hard to argue it is than Job’s.

This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. Job 1:1

9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “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. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Job 1:9-11

Lesson #2 – When we experience suffering, we can turn from God and Him or we can turn toward God and Him.

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 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.”

22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Job 1:20-22

9 “…Curse God and die!” Job 2:9

10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:10.

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

Lesson #3 – We can trust that God and our commitment to Him when we are tested.

10 But he knows the way that I take;

    when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

11 My feet have closely followed his steps;

    I have kept to his way without turning aside.

12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips;

    I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. Job 23:10-12

Lesson #4 – Unless we presume to be greater, more powerful, and more knowing than God, we would be wise to stay and trust .

2 “Who is this that obscures my plans

    with words without knowledge? Job 38:2

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

2 “I know that you can do all things;

    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’

    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,

    things too wonderful for me to know. Job 42:2-3

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

Lesson #5 – When we endure pain and suffering, we must that God can bring from it.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

5 My ears had heard of you

    but now my eyes have seen you. Job 42:5

“Suffering allows us to hear the voice of God in a key that is audible only to the ears of the broken-hearted.” Patrick Morley.

4 Benefits of Suffering

1) So that the of God can be seen!

3 “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:3

2) So that we can develop perseverance, character and !

3 …we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

3) So that we can one another as God has comforted us!

4  [God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4

4) So that we will not on ourselves but on God!

9 …this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, 2 Corinthians 1:9

12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. Job 42:12.

How can we respond to what may seem like unexplainable, unfair and unreasonable suffering?

1. Know that there are many, including Job, who have suffered, survived, and later thrived.
2. Turn toward God and honor Him, even when you may be tempted to blame Him and run from Him.
3. Trust that God sees your faith when tested and that He will honor that faith.
4. Believe that God knows what He is doing, even if it doesn’t make sense to you.
5. Count on God bringing good from even the worst situations.