Re: 6/23 Sermon: "God is Not Silent"

"Why am I suffering?" All of us will ask this question at one point or another in our lives. For some of us, this will be a question that constantly comes up throughout our lives. We may not phrase it exactly the same way, but the question “Why    fill in the blank   ?” is asked more than we realize. As we have been going through the book of Job, we find Job’s friends seeking to answer this question with regards specifically to Job’s suffering. Their conclusion is: Job was suffering because he had sinned. The reality, however, is neither Job nor his friends knew the real reason why Job was suffering (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-8).

In the search for the reason for Job’s suffering, Elihu speaks with great wisdom. In grace and humility, he admonishes Job for his pride in complaining (Job 33:13), but instead of accusing and attacking Job, as the others did, he takes the focus off Job and brings the focus upon God and His greatness (Job 33:12). Instead of trying to answer the question of "Why" Job has to go through such suffering, he focuses on "What" Job can learn in the midst of suffering. He goes on to explain that though Job’s suffering is not a result of his sin, however, in the midst of Job’s suffering, he is sinning, as seen in his complaints.

As I continue through life, I find myself wondering why certain things happen. Sometimes I find out the reason, however, many other times I am left without a clear answer. One thing that is clear is that in the midst of these difficult circumstances my areas of weakness and sin become more and more evident. If everything always “went well and ran smoothly,” I would be unaware of these things, however, because of these trials and temptations, I am able to better understand and address these areas in my heart and for that reason I am able to rejoice!

Why rejoice? Peter explains so clearly in his letter to fellow Christians who had scattered from their homeland as a result of persecution. “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls (1Pet 1:6-9)

Are you struggling with the question “Why             ?” Spend some time to meditate on the greatness of God, as well as His grace and mercy upon you in the midst of your difficult circumstance. Pray and ask God to help you use this difficult circumstance to strengthen your faith and grow in your likeness to Christ and help you see "What" you can learn, so that your faith, in the midst of various trials, may bring praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ!