In the oldest book in the Bible we find the age-old question “Why does God allow suffering to His people?” Of course, we know that we live in a fallen world under the curse of sin as all creation groans and travails awaiting the deliverance by God from the bondage of corruption. (Romans 8: 18-23) As we look back and examine passages from the book of Job we gain insights into the purpose of suffering in the Christian’s life.
Job’s experiences of great suffering opened his eyes more fully to the holiness of God. He says in 42:5 “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth thee.” God allows us to experience suffering in order for us to draw near to Him and cry out to Him for help. Job’s sufferings were shown to be corrective being used of God to test and refine his character which led him to self-knowledge and self-judgment. Job says in 23:10 “But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” In 40:4 he admits his unworthiness “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.” In 42: 6 he repents “…I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Times of suffering provides an opportunity to examine our self and our circumstances and ask God to show us what He wants us to see and learn what He wants us to learn. Job’s experiences like those of all believers reveal the ultimate triumph of a wise and loving God in His unseen contest with Satan over the souls of men. As we read the first two chapters of Job we see that nothing touches a child of His without His permission for our good and His glory. In 1:12 we read: “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in they power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” Then in 2:6 we read: “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.” God is our protector and deliverer so we must put on the whole armor of God each day in order to stand against the attacks of Satan. The outcome of Job’s sufferings and ours is to demonstrate that by God’s grace His people trust and serve Him because of what He is, not as a mere return for temporal benefits. Jesus said in Matthew 6: 33-34 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” The key belief is our heavenly Father knows what we need, and He will give us what we need (see Philippians 4:19). So, instead of being anxious about how to get our needs met, we are to seek Him and His righteousness. Seek means to look for or inquire. And the Greek translation for the kingdom is rule or reign. So, if we seek (look for) the reign of God in our lives and seek to do what He says is right, then He promises to give us what we need. James 4:7 says to “submit to God” that is, be under God’s authority and yield by surrendering to the action, control, and power of God. His grace is sufficient for each and every thing we face. Remember to pray for grace and not for patience for it comes only through trials.
Finally, when all has been said that can be said in the human realm of understanding, it must be confessed that beyond the revealed purposes of God there still remains much mystery. And for this there is no answer except the attitude of worship in which we humbly acknowledge that a sovereign God cannot be required by men to give all the reasons for what He chooses to do. Job concludes in 42: 2-3 “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore, have I uttered that I understood not; things to wonderful for me, which I knew not.” The words of that old hymn comes to mind “We will understand it better by and by.” God knows the beginning to the end and He is able to use “all things” for our good and His glory. I Thess. 5:18 says: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” You can give thanks in all things because thanksgiving is a response to the goodness and grace of God. God’s nature does not change based on outward circumstances.