Seeing the Savior in the Struggle

Justin Kirksey

Job • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Job 1

Suffering

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Introduction

Though many of us have seen pictures of a huge eagle's nest high in the branches of a tree or in the crag of a cliff, few of us have gotten a glimpse inside. When a mother eagle builds her nest she starts with thorns, broken branches, sharp rocks, and a number of other items that seem entirely unsuitable for the project. But then she lines the nest with a thick padding of wool, feathers, and fur from animals she has killed, making it soft and comfortable for the eggs. By the time the growing birds reach flying age, the comfort of the nest and the luxury of free meals make them quite reluctant to leave. That's when the mother eagle begins "stirring up the nest." With her strong talons she begins pulling up the thick carpet of fur and feathers, bringing the sharp rocks and branches to the surface. As more of the bedding gets plucked up, the nest becomes more uncomfortable for the young eagles. Eventually, this and other urgings prompt the growing eagles to leave their once-comfortable abode and move on to more mature behavior.

Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They're the only ones who can take it."

God has undoubtedly led me to preach a series of messages on the book of Job. This book is not fun. This book deals with some of the darkest emotions we are capable of feeling.

This is the oldest book in the canon of Scripture, deals with one of humanity’s oldest theological questions “How can a good God allow evil to happen?”

This morning I ask you to ask yourself “When everything goes haywire, can I still praise Him

Bible reading and prayer (Job 1:20-22)

Job’s Character

Blameless before God

Blessed by God

Believed in the grace of God

Job’s Challenger

Satan is our adversary

Satan is an accuser

Satan is NOT all powerful

Job’s Catastrophe

Job lost his family

Job lost his fortune

Job did NOT lose his faith

Job’s Chorus

God Is Provider

God Is Powerful

God Is To Be Praised

Conclusion

David, a 2-year old with leukemia, was taken by his mother, Deborah, to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, to see Dr. John Truman who specializes in treating children with cancer and various blood diseases. Dr. Truman's prognosis was devastating: "He has a 50-50 chance." The countless clinic visits, the blood tests, the intravenous drugs, the fear and pain--the mother's ordeal can be almost as bad as the child's because she must stand by, unable to bear the pain herself. David never cried in the waiting room, and although his friends in the clinic had to hurt him and stick needles in him, he hustled in ahead of his mother with a smile, sure of the welcome he always got. When he was three, David had to have a spinal tap--a painful procedure at any age. It was explained to him that, because he was sick, Dr. Truman had to do something to make him better. "If it hurts, remember it's because he loves you," Deborah said. The procedure was horrendous. It took three nurses to hold David still, while he yelled and sobbed and struggled. When it was almost over, the tiny boy, soaked in sweat and tears, looked up at the doctor and gasped, "Thank you, Dr. Tooman, for my hurting." Monica Dickens, Miracles of Courage, 1985.

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive I. Is God Enough When You Are Submerged in Suffering?

But the great question that I am asking this morning is not, “Do you have enough faith to be healed?” The question I want to ask you this morning is, “Do you have enough faith not to be healed, if it would bring greater glory to God?”