How could a good God allow bad things to happen?
Understanding God’s Word
In Job 1 and 2, we see that acts of terrorism (1:13-15,17), natural disasters (1:16,19) and diseases (2:7-8) are allowed by God. Not only do they happen, but they’re allowed to happen to Job - an honest man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion (1:1-2).
Living and Applying God’s Word
Should Christians expect trials? (1 Peter 4:12-13)
How can we know if a trial is from the Lord, from Satan, or from our own making?
Job didn’t know the conversation God and Satan had about him (Job 1:6-12). So how could Job still see God in this when God was silent?
Life can be hard, even if you’re doing everything right. If you’re a Christian, your faith must be tested and refined through trials. Most of us flatter ourselves into thinking that we’re doing reasonably well in our Christian life and that we don’t need any intense trials to test our faith. But we don’t know ourselves–the depth of our sin, the habit of self-trust, the shallowness of our joy. So God sends trials to test our faith.
Pain and suffering can either make you BITTER or make you BETTER.
Read Job 2:9 to see how Job’s wife became bitter.
Read Job 2:10 to see how Job became better.
What is the secret to Job’s response of becoming better?
Job remained faithful. He kept trusting God. Job’s relationship with God was the same whether God was blessing him or not.
Read Job 2:11,13
Notice how community is important during suffering. What did Job’s friends do? What did they NOT do?
A person who has gone through a horrible trial angrily asks, “How can a good God allow bad things to happen?” Your response?
Suffering in the hands of a loving God can bear great things.
James 5:11 “You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.”
Turn to God
Find God’s purpose in your pain and don’t let bitterness, unbelief or discouragement rob you of the treasure God is refining in you.
Pray about the hard times you face in your life, and pray for those around you who are struggling.
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