Sunday: The Big Questions
Most of the action in the book of Job takes place in the first two chapters. Here the veil between heaven and earth is lifted, and we are given a glimpse into a whole aspect of reality that otherwise would remain hidden from us. However far our telescopes can peer into the cosmos, they haven’t come anywhere near revealing to us what we have been shown in this book, written thousands of years ago in a desert that is most likely located in today’s Saudi Arabia.
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
Job also shows just how closely connected the supernatural realm, the realm of God and angels, is with the natural world, the earth and those of us upon it.
After the first two chapters, much of Job consists of what is called in the TV business “talking heads;” that is, just dialogue. In this case, the talking heads are Job and the men who come to discuss the heavy issues of life: theology, pain, philosophy, faith, life, and death.
And why not, considering all that has happened to Job? It’s so easy to be caught up in the mundane things of life, the business of just living day by day, and to forget what the big and important questions are. There is nothing like a calamity, either our own or that of others, to shake us out of our spiritual lethargy and get us to start asking the important questions.
Read Psalm 119:65–72. What is the psalmist saying?
The psalmist was able to see the good that arose from the trials that afflicted him. At times, trials can certainly be blessings in disguise, in that they either lead us back to the Lord or bring us to Him in the first place. Who hasn’t heard stories of those whose lives came to a crisis point, and only then did the person either come back to God or surrender to Him for the first time? Sometimes trials, however horrific and tragic, can be used for a good that, over time, we can see. Other times they appear arbitrary and meaningless.
How have you been able to look back at former trials and seen the good that has come out of them? How do you deal with those trials that have brought nothing good?
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It is easy not to reflect when the outcomes of our trials are positive.
Knowing that the Lord has our best interest, as christians we should be earnest in prayer whether a positive or negative outcome.
Let us trust him always.
Eccl. 7:14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that a man should find nothing after him.
Amen Kareen, could it be that we may not see a positive outcome to a trial here on earth - but when the events of our life is played over for us, we will see how that trial which seemed to have no good purpose while we were on earth, was actually for our benefit?
I have read through today's lessons and have not been able to conciliate the title and the content. Please, anyone with more understanding can help me: what are the big qiestions in this lesson?
The big question in this lesson is our own questions!! We all have questions about the trials in our lives. Why do we suffer? Some of our questions are the same as Job's questions. Why am I going through this trial? What have I done to deserve this suffering? Why did God allow me to lose ____?(Everyone is fill in that blank). The author is trying to lead us into active reflection upon our own trials and the questions, and perhaps, if we were able to "see the good that arose from the trials". Be blessed!
The Big Questions are issues that happen around us for which we have no sure answers. In the remaining chapters of Job we are going to see a discussion on Theology, Pain, Philosophy, Faith, Life and Death. Job and his friends spend time together trying to find answers to these issues. Perceiving pain and affliction positively as seen in Psalms 119:65-72 is one of the many questions we have in life. Accepting both good and bad from a good God is an idea that we keep on struggling from day to day.
Indeed, human life especially in these last days is characterised by suffering in any perspective. Any person who has ever struggled with suffering knows how extremely painful it is and can't know the outcome in the process. God in these last days will use suffering as an agency to test those who can stand approved before Him. Every day we wake to shocking news, death by sea, road and air, natural calamities and the unregulated weather patterns, but, still, God's justice is there. Hang in there all wrongs shall be made right, God trains His soldiers on the mountain of affliction to be good soldiers of the cross. My question is, do we wait until suffering bring us back to God or we should always be connected to God even in good season?
Psalms 119 is an alphabetic Psalm consisting of 22 stanzas each with 8 verses. Every stanza begins with its own Hebrew letter. Aleph number 1. Beth number 2 and so on. Psalms 119:105 is probably the most familiar. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. The world would be a dark place without the word of God to illuminate it. The oil of the Spirit is the continual source of light needed to direct our choices and make our way. There is more that makes this verse significant than just a memory verse. A bit off the subject of this lesson but the entire 119 Psalm warrants study regarding the admonitions of David. A man after Gods own heart plus Job a blameless man that feared God.
While the trial lasts, we may not understand what it means to go through difficult times. But after it is gone, we understand that it was worth going through!
I, personally believe that every trial brings about a lesson whether or not the outcome is good. God would not allow trials in our lives if there wasn't a lesson that he was trying to reveal to us. Even through the trials of others, God uses situations to capture our attention and reveals himself to us. Very few of us get it immediately and for most of us, it takes a while to grasp and understand the true revelation. Spiritual empowerment and strength in our relationship with God is really the ultimate lessons of our trials. In every trial, we ought to be grateful and pray for wisdom and understanding.
It doesn't seem that it was God's original plan to have put Job through such a hard experience, but come what may God is not limited by choices of others. With what ever comes our way, he could make a way of escape that proves for us real growth.
As Christians, should affliction be the basis of our conviction and repentance? I believe this is the big question we should ask ourselves knowing the limitation of our reason and knowledge to know when the consequences of our afflictions and distresses are positive. why is that we seem lethargic in our spiritual life when things are smooth? Should God bring affliction ere we start to seek His ways and learn of His statutes? Absolutely not. we are to build an intimate relationship with him at all times.
Firstly, i just want to say God is awesome. And i am grateful for His word that gives us a glimse into His wisdom.
Even when the Devil throws trials our way to mar our relationship with God, He smiles cos He knows that will actually place us on the right track.
My trials have often checkmate my excesses on mundane things and He's more obvious during my downs than in my ups: although He's there but i'm often carried away, hardly or never realizing His presence.
And as for those trials that have brought nothing good especially in the short run (cos they always do in the long run), as our nature are the immediate reactions are often anger, frustration and rejection. But in all of this, i've learnt that patience and trust in God, even when the trials seems meaningless, are the ways to go.
Yes! As Job says in Job 13:15 - "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." We are like Job, we oftentimes do not understand why we are suffering, but I will trust Him to see me through. Be blessed!
I am only able to appreciate God's intention for me; after coming through my trials. As i reflect back in life, all i can do is to give Him thanks for all the sufferings I went through. Because i am enjoying the benefits now. May His name be praised!
Suffering in our lives can bring about a passion for others. Although he was said to be cursed, his friends were still passionate for him. Job had trials upon trials that couldn't possibly be overcome without his total dependence on his Lord, God. Count all things a blessing.
The Big Question is why when difficult times confront us, we tend to question God's goodness and love? We become bitter, angry and despondent. The Bible reminds us that God cares and understands. We are inclined not to see the purpose in trials or the good that can come from them. God’s ultimate purpose for us is to grow into the likeness of Jesus (Romans 8:29). In this regard 1 Peter 1:6-7 states: "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Trials develop godly character and empowers us to rejoice "in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us” (Romans 5:3-5). Trials and tribulations come with both a purpose and a reward. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. . . Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial;for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:2-4,12).
l can only praise God for my past trials because l can imagine how l would have remained unchanged had those trial did not come. lndeed we become changed either for good or bad through the trials. Fine gold comes from strong fire and after that everyone longs to have it than when it was raw. Happy Sabbath!!!