September 10

Job and the Problem of Suffering (Continued) - Job 8:1-22, 9:1-35, 10:1-22

Why doesn't God do something when we're suffering? Oh...He has.

"Surely God does not reject a blameless man

or strengthen the hands of evildoers."

Bildad to Job, Job 8:20

It's hard not to ascribe the good things that happen to us to God and the bad things that happen to us to Satan or our own sin. But in truth, ultimately, God is in charge of all that happens good and bad. He allows Satan to test Job. So while He is not the instrument of Job's suffering, He is open to it.

That is a hard teaching and I don't pretend to understand it. All I know is I must trust Him and not my own understanding.

I do believe that we suffer for a reason but, again, I don't pretend for a moment to be able to explain that reason in any given situation. With Him, we walk through suffering with something. Without Him, we come through suffering with nothing.

I pray my faith will endure the test that will come. Lord knows.