When we read the first two chapters of the book, it's more than we
can bear! And for those of us who are inclined to ask "WHY" at
the smallest misfortune, Job's faithfulness to God seems
incredible! But even Job had something to learn - and I hope we
can learn with him today.

Our age of instant gratification - of instant EVERYTHING -
has caused us to lose the ability to wait. We even expect to
learn patience instantly! And in our hurry, we even miss the
contradiction! And of everything we want now - RELIEF from pain
and suffering is at the top of our list! We want an instant cure
for everything from toothaches, to headaches, to broken bones, to
heart attacks, to cancer, to diseases, and even to heartbreaks!

When you think of it, you realize that many pains and
diseases HAVE been cured - like polio, smallpox, measles, mumps,
rubella, tetanus, and so forth, and all of that healing has come
from God - but we still live in a world where many people suffer!
From reading the book, you realize that Job was NOT expecting
instant answers for the intense emotional, physical, and personal
pain and loss he endured! But in the end, we find that what broke
Job's patience was NOT his suffering - it was NOT knowing WHY he
suffered.

1. WHY MUST WE SUFFER, LORD?

That's the question so many of us still ask today. When Job
expressed his frustration in his day, his friends were right
there, ready with their answers! They believed the law of cause
and effect applied to all people's experiences. Their view of
life was simple: good things happen to good people, and bad things
happen to bad people! You and I scoff at that thought, but I dare
say most of us have a similar theology!

That's why a man could make a million dollars back in the 70's

writing a book entitled "Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?"

And not long after, another million was made with the follow-up –

"Why Do Good Things Happen To Bad People?" Well, because of this theology, Job's friends thought their role was to help Job admit to whatever sin was causing his suffering.

Job actually looked at life very much the way his friends
did. What Job couldn't understand was why he was suffering so
much when he was sure he had done nothing to deserve such
punishment. His last friend, Elihu, did offer an alternate
explanation for the pain and suffering by pointing out that God
may be allowing it for the purpose of purifying Job.

Sometimes that is why you and I suffer - for purifying of our faith, like
the gold being purified by fire. But that was only part of the
answer. When God did finally speak - He did not offer Job an
answer. Instead, God drove home the point that it is not
important to know answers - it is important to know God.

IT IS BETTER TO KNOW GOD, THAN TO KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS!

Thus, the answer to our question, "Why must we suffer, Lord", is that

"IT'S NOT IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHY - IT'S ONLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW GOD!" Do you know Him?

2. WHY ISN'T THE CHRISTIAN LIFE EASY, LORD?

Hebrew 11:35-39 summarizes the lives of some great men and
women of faith. Some experienced great and outstanding victories,
even in the face of death!

Others were abused, severely mistreated, tortured, and even killed.

WHY ISN'T THE CHRISTIAN LIFE EASY, LORD?

The truth is, having a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ does not

guarantee a happy, carefree life.

In fact, being a faithful Christian almost guarantees that you

will suffer some form of abuse from the world!

Remember, Satan is Prince of this world.

While we live on earth, we may NEVER see or understand the
purpose of our suffering! And I know that's tough, but WE KNOW

THAT GOD WILL KEEP HIS PROMISES TO US.
And THAT is PRECISELY the point! The Christian life isn't easy -
it's not a bed of roses - but God keeps His promises to us. Let's
look at some scriptural examples.

Jesus told His disciples and us that we should EXPECT
suffering! In John 16:33 He says, "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!"

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:10-12, "We are fools for
Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye
are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised.

Even unto this
present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are
buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; And labor, working
with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we
suffer it:"

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:6, "And whether we be afflicted,
it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in
the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or
whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and
salvation." Then in 7:4-5, "In all our troubles my joy knows no
bounds. For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no
rest, but we were harassed at every turn - conflicts on the
outside, fears within."

In Phil 1:29 Paul says, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;" And in 4:12 it says "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and
to suffer need."

2 Thess. 1:4-5 tells us, "So that we ourselves glory in you
in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your
persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest
token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted
worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:"

The writer of Hebrews leaves no doubt as to what we should do
in 11:25 and 13:3 - "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with
the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them

which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."

Peter also leaves no doubt about difficulties in the Christian
life when he wrote in the passages below:

"For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye
shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for
it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." (1 Peter
2:20-21)

"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and
be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.... having a
good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of
evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good
conversation in Christ.

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing,

than for evil doing." (1 Peter 3:14,16-17)

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are
suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But
rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that
you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.... But let none
of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or
as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a
Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this
behalf.... Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of
God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as
unto a faithful Creator." (1 Peter 4:12-13,15-16,19)

In each instance you see both sides of the coin - on one side, trouble,

hardship, suffering - on the other side, peace, blessing, and joy.

The problem is that many Christians apparently believe God
owes them smooth sailing - or at least a full explanation for
their hardships and suffering experiences! Beloved, don't ever
forget that HE IS GOD! He is sovereign, and Holy, and Majestic -
and He doesn't OWE you or me squat! God is accountable to no one!
God is not your personal Genie - who pops out of the lantern when
you rub it and grants your wishes and whims! God is NOT your
servant - the bottom line, in fact, is that we are His servants!
And our very reason for existence is to honor and glorify and
serve Him who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Hallelujah!

Now, please hear me - after saying all that - remember - God
is STILL in the "mountain-moving" miracle-working business.
Sometimes, He still performs mighty miracles of Grace on our
behalf! Sometimes He decides to explain His actions in our lives.
Sometimes His presence is as real as if we had encountered Him
face to face.

At other times, nothing seems to make sense. The situation
or circumstance in which we find ourselves is absolutely "not
fair" and we feel all alone -- it is then we hear that still,
small voice, whispering ever so softly - "TRUST ME!"

Does this mean we are destined to be depressed and victimized
by the circumstances of our lives? Absolutely not! God's word
promises "We are more than conquerors!"

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4-7, "Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to
all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious for anything, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the Peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

What a paradox of scripture! On the one hand we are told to
expect suffering and hardship that could cost us our very lives!
On the other hand we are encouraged to be joyful, thankful, and
"of good cheer." How can we be under tremendous pressure and be
triumphant at the same time? How can we be secure in the midst of
insecurity? How do we find peace in the midst of chaos?

3. Our last point is this - MY GOD CAN DELIVER ME - BUT IF
NOT - I WILL SERVE HIM ANYWAY!

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego incurred the wrath of
Nebuchadnezzar in the third chapter of Daniel by refusing to fall
down and worship the idol he had set up. He made it abundantly
clear that if they EVER refused to obey his command again, they
would be thrown into a "burning, fiery furnace." Their response to
his murderous threat is one of the most inspiring passages in all
of scripture:

"The God we serve is able to save us from it, and He
will rescue us from your hand, O King. But even if He does not,
we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or
worship the image of Gold you have set up."

Now that's what I call showing the "courage of your
convictions" - even in the face of death! What faith! "God can
save us - but if not - we'll serve Him anyway!"

WOW! Let me say that backwards - WOW!

That, my friend, is the Biblical prescription in its simplest
form! That is the very definition of faith in the midst of
suffering. "God can save me - but if not - I'll serve Him
anyway!"

God can heal your back and stop the pain from disabling you -
but if not your faith will survive and remain strong! And you will
continue to love and serve Him only! Or for you it may be "God
can correct my child's handicap, but if not, I will continue to
believe in Him." Or maybe it's "God can salvage my nearly
bankrupt business and save my reputation, but if not,... I'll
continue to serve Him." "God can bring my son home safely from
Bosnia, but if not... I'll continue to believe His word." "God
can keep my marriage from falling apart and ending in divorce, but
if not.... I will continue to trust Him."

That's what Job meant when he said, "Though He slay me, yet
will I trust Him. (Job 3:15). It is what Paul meant when he said,
"Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5).
Later, in Vs. 8 Paul describes that mind-set when he says "He
humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on the
cross." That total and utter abandonment to the sovereign will of
the Lord is what He wants of His people, even when circumstances
seem to swirl out of control. "God can rescue - but if not...."

"WHY MUST WE SUFFER, LORD?"

It's not important to know WHY - it's just important to know
God. I ask you again - Do you know Him? Is Jesus your savior and
Lord? Have you repented of your sin and believed in Him for your
salvation?

The Christian life is NOT easy - but God still keeps all His
promises. What are the promises you are experiencing in your
pilgrimage with Him? Where are you in your personal walk with the
Lord?

After all, God didn't deliver his own son Jesus Christ when he

cried out to the Father to deliver him! His only son, yet God left him to

die a horrible death! For a greater good, and eternal purpose! Jesus

prayed for deliverance, but if not, he was prepared to die, and he did.

He suffered terribly, but he never gave up his faith! Are you willing to