Sermon Tone Analysis

The events of the past week have really brought my focus to an area where Christians and non-Christians alike seem to have a lacking in understanding.

I have even found myself asking some of these questions.

And I have had to dig deep into God’s word to find some of the answers.

The question that is most asked is-why is there suffering in the world today?

If God is the all powerful, all knowing God who loves us so much, then why are people made to suffer?

Scripture tells us that there is no searching his understanding.

In other words there is no way that we can figure out his infinite wisdom.

There is no way that we can even begin to try and understand all the thoughts, and all the reasons behind God’s mighty works.

I have begun reading in the book of Job and have found the book full of information, particularly in dealing with human suffering.

I read in Job chapter 11 “can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?

They are higher than heaven-what can you do?

Deeper than Sheol-what can you know?

Their measure is longer than the Earth and broader than the sea.”I think that the most direct and simplest answer to this question is-we just are not equipped with the ability to understand all of God’s will.

There are times when we can see some aspects of God’s will.

But we do not possess the infinite knowledge and wisdom of God; the understanding of the bigger picture that God sees.

In Job 8 it says “for we were born yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on Earth are a shadow.”We

are finite creatures trying to understand the infinite God.

One lesson that I have learned from Job is that God is not the one causing the suffering.

It is the wiles of Satan, the snare of the Fowler, the fiery darts of Satan that beat us down; that caused us so much grief and pain; that bring us to the point of despair.

We live in a sin cursed world and no matter how righteous we live, no matter how many good things we do, no matter how close our walk with Jesus Christ is; we are still subject to the pangs of death and destruction.

Until that day when Jesus returns and wipes all sin away from the world itself, then the curse on this world will be lifted.

Jesus already dealt with the stain of sin in our souls, that is why those who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior can be saved from eternal death, but because Jesus has not yet dealt with the world our physical bodies must still go through the affliction of disease, injury, and even death.

The Bible does however illustrate many aspects of God many characteristics of God, which allow us to piece together a picture of who God is in his relationship to us.

This is a picture that only pertains to us.

This picture shows us what we need to see of God in order to be able to have some understanding of how he relates to us.

I believe that for others, let’s say the Angels, God has created a more detailed picture for their understanding of him.

I think that there is a more important question to ask here.

I think that in order to understand why God allows suffering that we first need to ask what is suffering?

Suffering and affliction are two words that we can use interchangeably.

They refer to a condition of physical or mental distress or pain.

There are many types of affliction talked about in the Bible.

There is national affliction, resulting from the oppression of a political entity.

There is social affliction, resulting from a perversion of the law.

There is moral affliction, as God’s retribution for sin.

And there is also natural and spiritual affliction.

I’m mostly going to be talking about natural affliction today.

In some respects one could probably say that affliction is the opposite of a blessing.

Blessing generally refers to an act of God pouring out his favor upon someone.

Where as affliction is an act of Satan pouring out his wrath upon humanity.

So now we have established where affliction comes from-it comes from Satan.

They can even establish that God is aware of our afflictions.

One thing which I have not mentioned is that, and I need to be very careful how I say this, God allows affliction.

We read in several places in Job that Satan seeks to humiliate Job and God gives him permission to hurt Job in many ways, but in God still in control, limits what Satan can do.

God denies Satan, our accuser the right to kill Job.

Even with all the attacks of Satan, God holds the power over Job’s life.

Even Satan with all his abilities is limited to do only what God allows.

So you might be thinking-doesn’t that mean that God does evil?

No. in Luke 18 verse 19 Jesus gives testimony and states “None is good, save one, that is, God.”

I don’t think that I have to go into deep explanation here.

Jesus meant just what he said.

God is the only one that is all good.

In taking Jesus’ statement a step further, we can glean an understanding that everything God does is good, even if it may seem evil to us-God meant it for good.

In Genesis 50 verse 20 it is written “but as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.”

So what does this mean?

No matter how many lemons are thrown our way God is the greatest lemonade maker in all the universe.

God makes a whole lot of lemonade out of the lemons or the afflictions of our life.

We will always have affliction in our lives.

Although we may at times be bombarded with a barrage of afflictions there is still a purpose, there is still a reason for those tough times we go through.

The purpose of affliction is to show the power of Christ.

We read in Second Corinthians 12  verses 8-9 “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Jesus shows us just how mighty he can be.

With all the power of the Holy Spirit, with all the wisdom of God; Jesus demonstrates to us just how great he is.

I am reminded of a favorite hymn “How Great Thou Art”: O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds thy hands have made.

I see the light, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul my savior God to thee.

How great thou art, How great thou art.”

It is also important to understand just how great God is.

In Job chapter 12 we read beginning in verse 13 ”with him are wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding.

If he breaks a thing down, it cannot be rebuilt; if he imprisons a man, there can be no release.

If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the Earth.

With him are strength and prudence.

The deceived and the deceiver are his.”That is just part of how great God is.

Everything that he allows to happen happens as part of his design.

He created everything and is the master of it all.

Everything that he allows to happen results in the designed outcome of his creation.

If he stops the rain, then the land dries up, crops fail and people go thirsty.

Notice the end of this verse.

The deceived and the deceiver are his.

Although the original reference to the deceived and the deceiver does not literally point to a specific individual; we can through application gain an understanding that Satan, who is also known as the great deceiver or the father of lies, is under God’s control and part of his creation.

As well as those that are deceived by him.

Who would that be?

Every person who has ever sinned.

That means every human being.

Affliction produces results.

And what are these results?

What are the results of affliction?

Discipline.

The discipline of affliction produces strong faith.

In Job chapter 5 we read “behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

For he bruises, but he binds up; he wounds, but his hands make whole.

He shall deliver you in six troubles, yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.

In famine he shall read to you from death, and in war from the power of the sword.

You shall be hidden from the scorge of the tongue, and you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes.

You shall laugh at destruction and famine, and you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

For you shall have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.”You see the things that we endure teach us and grow us.

It is like steel in a forge.

It is heated to the point of weakness.

Then it is hammered into shape.