Finding God’s Presence Amidst Suffering and Doubt
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound themes of suffering and doubt through the lens of the Book of Job. We began with a contemporary story about an Alaska Airlines flight that experienced a terrifying incident, drawing a parallel to the tangible fear and doubt that Job experienced. Job, a wealthy and righteous man, lost everything—his wealth, his children, and his health. His friends, convinced that Job's suffering was due to some hidden sin, misused scripture to support their claims, adding to Job's anguish. This misuse of scripture and the false promise of immediate retribution or reward for one's actions were highlighted as significant issues.
The central question of Job's story is whether God can be trusted amidst suffering and silence. Job's friends offered certainty through their flawed interpretations, but Job's real struggle was with the silence of God. For 35 chapters, God remained silent while Job wrestled with his doubts and the accusations of his friends. This silence was a form of suffering in itself, leading Job to question God's presence and care.
However, the turning point came when God finally spoke to Job out of a whirlwind, not to provide answers, but to assert His presence. This divine encounter underscored that what Job needed was not explanations or certainty, but the presence of God. This presence is what ultimately provided Job with the comfort and assurance he sought.
We concluded by drawing a parallel to our own lives, emphasizing that our salvation and faith are not grounded in our certainty but in the presence of Jesus. Jesus, who took on flesh and suffered for us, is our ultimate certainty. In moments of doubt and suffering, it is His presence that offers us hope and comfort, not the answers to our questions.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Misuse of Scripture in Suffering: Job's friends misused scripture to claim that his suffering was due to hidden sin, reflecting a common but flawed belief that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked in this lifetime. This misuse added to Job's suffering and highlights the danger of twisting scripture to fit our narratives. [06:51]
2. The Silence of God: One of the most profound aspects of Job's suffering was God's silence. For 35 chapters, Job cried out to God without receiving an answer. This silence can be a form of suffering, leading us to question God's presence and care. Yet, it is in this silence that we often find the depth of our faith tested and refined. [16:33]
3. The Presence of God as the Answer: When God finally spoke to Job, He did not provide answers to Job's questions but asserted His presence. This encounter teaches us that what we need most in our suffering and doubt is not explanations but the assurance of God's presence. This presence is our true source of comfort and certainty. [23:04]
4. The False Promise of Certainty: Modern Christianity often idolizes certainty, promising that we can be free of doubt if we have enough faith or knowledge. However, the story of Job teaches us that total certainty is not promised by God. Our faith is not grounded in our ability to be certain but in the presence and promises of God. [19:08]
5. Jesus as Our Certainty: In our moments of doubt and suffering, Jesus is our ultimate certainty. He took on flesh, suffered, died, and rose again to assure us of His presence and love. Our hope and comfort lie in His promise that He is with us, even when we do not have all the answers. This presence redeems our doubts and provides us with the assurance we need. [32:45]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [01:48] - Alaska Airlines Incident and Tangible Fear
3. [02:44] - Introduction to Job and Suffering
4. [03:59] - Job's Background and Losses
5. [05:54] - Friends' Accusations and Misuse of Scripture
6. [08:03] - The Question of Trusting God
7. [09:43] - Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
8. [11:47] - The Origin of Doubt
9. [12:33] - Doubt in the Psalms and Job
10. [13:52] - Job's Doubts and God's Hidden Plan
11. [15:10] - Job's Despair and Silence of God
12. [16:33] - The Hell of God's Silence
13. [18:14] - The False Promise of Certainty
14. [20:01] - Job's Need for God's Presence
15. [23:04] - God Speaks from the Whirlwind
16. [26:50] - God's Unanswerable Questions
17. [28:55] - Stop Trying to Explain Suffering
18. [30:56] - Job's Restoration and New Beginnings
19. [32:45] - Jesus as Our Certainty
20. [34:16] - The Danger of Circumstantial Faith
21. [37:51] - The Presence of Jesus in Our Doubts
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Job 38:1 - "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:"
2. Job 1:20-22 - "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong."
3. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial reaction of Job when he lost everything, according to Job 1:20-22?
2. How did Job's friends misuse scripture to explain his suffering? [06:51]
3. What was the significance of God's response to Job out of the whirlwind in Job 38:1?
4. How does Romans 8:28 relate to the theme of suffering and God's purpose in the sermon?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Job's friends were so convinced that his suffering was due to hidden sin? How does this reflect common misconceptions about suffering? [05:54]
2. What does the silence of God for 35 chapters in the Book of Job signify about the nature of faith and doubt? [16:33]
3. How does the presence of God, rather than explanations, provide comfort and assurance in times of suffering, as seen in Job 38:1? [23:04]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that modern Christianity's idolization of certainty can be problematic? [19:08]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like God was silent in your life. How did you handle that period of doubt and what did you learn from it? [16:33]
2. Have you ever experienced someone misusing scripture to explain your suffering or doubts? How did that affect your faith and relationship with God? [06:51]
3. How can you seek the presence of God in your current struggles rather than just looking for answers? What practical steps can you take to feel His presence more deeply? [23:04]
4. In what ways can you avoid the false promise of certainty in your faith journey? How can you embrace the uncertainties and still maintain a strong faith? [19:08]
5. How does the story of Jesus' suffering and presence provide you with comfort and assurance in your own moments of doubt and suffering? [32:45]
6. Think of a specific situation where you are currently seeking answers. How can you shift your focus from seeking explanations to seeking God's presence in that situation? [23:04]
7. How can you support someone in your life who is going through a period of doubt or suffering? What can you do to be a comforting presence for them? [37:51]
Devotional
Day 1: The Misuse of Scripture in Suffering
Description: Job's friends believed that his suffering was a direct result of some hidden sin, a common but flawed interpretation of scripture. They misused scripture to support their claims, adding to Job's anguish. This misuse of scripture reflects a dangerous tendency to twist God's word to fit our narratives, rather than seeking its true meaning. It is crucial to approach scripture with humility and a desire for truth, rather than using it to justify our preconceived notions. This misuse not only distorts God's message but can also cause significant harm to those who are suffering. [06:51]
Jeremiah 23:36 (ESV): "But 'the burden of the Lord' you shall mention no more, for the burden is every man's own word, and you pervert the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God."
Reflection: Think of a time when you or someone you know misused scripture to justify a belief or action. How can you approach scripture with a more humble and open heart, seeking its true meaning?
Day 2: The Silence of God
Description: One of the most profound aspects of Job's suffering was the silence of God. For 35 chapters, Job cried out to God without receiving an answer. This silence can be a form of suffering, leading us to question God's presence and care. Yet, it is in this silence that we often find the depth of our faith tested and refined. The silence of God can be a challenging experience, but it also offers an opportunity to deepen our trust in Him, even when we do not understand His ways. [16:33]
Lamentations 3:25-26 (ESV): "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's silence in your life. How did it affect your faith? What steps can you take to trust in God's presence, even when He seems silent?
Day 3: The Presence of God as the Answer
Description: When God finally spoke to Job, He did not provide answers to Job's questions but asserted His presence. This encounter teaches us that what we need most in our suffering and doubt is not explanations but the assurance of God's presence. This presence is our true source of comfort and certainty. In moments of deep pain and confusion, the presence of God can provide a peace that surpasses understanding, reminding us that we are not alone. [23:04]
Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking answers rather than seeking God's presence? How can you shift your focus to embrace His presence as your source of comfort and assurance?
Day 4: The False Promise of Certainty
Description: Modern Christianity often idolizes certainty, promising that we can be free of doubt if we have enough faith or knowledge. However, the story of Job teaches us that total certainty is not promised by God. Our faith is not grounded in our ability to be certain but in the presence and promises of God. Embracing the uncertainty of life can lead to a deeper reliance on God, trusting in His wisdom and timing rather than our own understanding. [19:08]
Ecclesiastes 11:5 (ESV): "As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle with uncertainty. How can you practice trusting in God's presence and promises rather than seeking absolute certainty?
Day 5: Jesus as Our Certainty
Description: In our moments of doubt and suffering, Jesus is our ultimate certainty. He took on flesh, suffered, died, and rose again to assure us of His presence and love. Our hope and comfort lie in His promise that He is with us, even when we do not have all the answers. This presence redeems our doubts and provides us with the assurance we need. Jesus' life and sacrifice are the foundation of our faith, offering us a steadfast anchor in the midst of life's storms. [32:45]
Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
Reflection: Reflect on how Jesus' presence has been a source of certainty in your life. How can you lean more into His promises and presence during times of doubt and suffering?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Why do bad things happen to good people? It's a question that goes around. It becomes apparent. We know people like Job. When there is a senseless tragedy, when something happens to a young person, we think, why does it happen? Now there are also theologians, and one in particular is a popular theologian, I like this guy, but he's famous for saying, the question isn't why do bad things happen to good people, the question is why do good things happen to bad people?" [09:43] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's okay to doubt. It's okay to ask these questions. It's okay to wonder. A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the false promise of prosperity. You can't find a promise of prosperity in Job. But there's another false thing going on even in our circles. And in the Christianity that we find ourselves in. And that's this. This thinking about doubt. Total certainty about God. Or even from God. Is a false promise." [18:14] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You want certainty? Stop trying to figure out all the stuff that's going down in your life. Stop trying to figure out the circumstances. We are so circumstance oriented. We got to come back to Job and get Job's answer. Because Job in his circumstances, he's not finding the answer. In fact, God never answers why he's in this circumstance. This world is falling. We are falling. We are falling creatures. We don't have explanations." [32:45] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What we need in these moments is presence, the presence of God, the presence of Jesus. That's our certainty. That's our hope. That's our comfort. I can't explain to you why you just lost your daughter, but I can tell you that Jesus has you, that Jesus is with you. That's our hope. That's our comfort. That's our certainty. That's the Jesus who is present for us." [37:51] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The reason Job resonates with us is because a lot of the opinions being expressed, whether they're right or not in this book, is stuff we've thought about. It connects with us. This is who we are. This is the stuff we're saying. Especially when there aren't any cameras or mics or anything, right? This is the stuff we're saying." [02:44] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Job points this out that there are plenty of people who are not living right who are being blessed by God. And there are plenty of people who are living right where stuff like this happens. And again, they're twisting scripture. They're taking scriptures that talk about reward and punishment as if it's karma. As if God is some kind of a karma figure who's always going to make sure that there's retribution for people that do bad things. There's no promise about that in the Bible." [08:03] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The key question of the book then is, as we read, and as we listen to the conversation going down between Job and his friends, can God be trusted? Is God someone that you can trust? Is God someone that you can stake everything on? Is he someone to be believed?" [08:58] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our salvation is not grounded in our certainty. Is it grounded in certain things? Well absolutely. I'm not saying. That we don't have facts. In the scripture. That help us with our faith. Or that even produce our faith. Like the fact of the cross and the resurrection. Absolutely. But my salvation is not dependent on my certainty." [21:37] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The presence of God is what Job needs. All of his doubts it really is that simple. The presence of God is what Job needs now as God begins to speak we read a real small snippet of it in our in what Henry wrote read God rattles off you know the first question is where were you he rattles off 70 questions rat-a-tat-tat it was like bullets." [26:50] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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