Many there are who have called out in anguish, ‘Why me Lord?’  Life comes with trouble and it is difficult to find clear understanding.  We cannot deny that suffering appears at times as indiscriminate.  One person’s suffering is far greater than another and we can find no reason.  The Old Testament book of Job presents us with a dilemma.  How can a God who is loving and caring allow such suffering?  We, like Job, want answers; but, none are found to satisfy our desire for explanation.  In reading this ancient writing we see in the beginning that Job’s suffering seems to be the result of a challenge from Satan to God. 

The argument from Satan is that Job is faithful to God because of God’s blessings.  The response from God is based in His observation of Job as a “blameless and upright man.”  The suffering that Job experienced did not come from his practice of sin; nor did it come from a tyrannical God who plays with His Creation.  It is Job himself who gives reason to the unreasonable suffering.   Life is full of trouble.  When his own wife tells him to “curse God and die” he says, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive [disaster]?”  (Job 2:10)  In other words, life does not come with guarantees of safety and health and wealth.  Time and space does not allow here a complete explanation as to how Job dealt with his suffering.  However, it is important to know that Job is not different that any of us.  In so many words, he too asks, Why me? 

The important thing to hear is that this ancient writing is testament to the reality of humanity’s suffering and seemingly without reason at times.  Are we meant to fully understand our suffering?  Or, are we called to trust in a God who has given us a hope of life eternal.  In this life we know that all shall come to an end.  Even the Bible states ‘it is appointed for man to die once.’  (Hebrew 9:27)  The message of Scripture calls for all people in all ages to turn to God whether in suffering or in health & wealth.  You see, even when Job was enjoying all the blessings of God prior to his suffering he never ceased to turn to God and present himself as a man who truly feared God and trusted in God’s judgments.  Can we today be any different?

As we approach the time of celebrating the coming of Christ into the world to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to save sinners, let us remember that our highest priority in life is learning to trust God and to be thankful even in the face of suffering – which is all around us and may at times be visiting our own front door.  May we be willing to express our trust in God as did Job when he said, (Job 42:2-6)

I know that you [God] can do all things,

and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

. . . . . . .

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,

but now my eye sees you;

therefore I despise myself,

and repent in dust and ashes.”

Even though Job was “blameless and upright” before God, he came to the reality that he had not surrendered his life totally to God.  That is our call today.  May we learn to hold nothing back from God. 

Grace and Peace

Pastor David