Job's Suffering... Why?

I found this to be an intriguing question. Comments after the article. I ask a different question than Dr. Graham is answering.

OMD

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What was Job's Answer to the Question of Suffering? By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services

Q: I took a religion class in college last year, and one of our assignments was to read the book of Job in the Old Testament. Can you help me understand it? I read it through three times, and I never did figure out what Job's answer was to the question of suffering. -- K.H.

A: The Bible says that Job was "blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil" (Job 1:8). God had blessed him with great wealth, and also with a large family.

And yet in spite of his goodness and his devotion to God, God still allowed him to experience almost limitless loss and suffering: His family was destroyed, his wealth was taken from him, and his health was ruined. So terrible was his suffering that at times Job wished he had never been born. In spite of this, however, he never lost his faith and trust in God: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15, KJV).

Why did God allow Job to pass through such suffering? This is the book's central question -- and it's the question we ask when we experience loss and suffering. Job's friends suggested various answers, but in the end, the only answer Job discovers is that God is far greater than we are, and He can be trusted to do what is right -- even if we don't fully understand. Someday we will understand when we enter into God's presence -- but not yet.
But the Bible points us to the One who experienced far more suffering than Job ever did -- and that is Jesus Christ. He was without sin, and yet all our sins were placed on Him, and He took the sin and death and Hell that we deserve. Have you thanked Him for this by giving your life to Him?

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Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: http://www.billygraham.org/.

(c)2008 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

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I'm not putting myself anywhere near the class Billy Graham is in but I would like to comment on a different question.

Why DID God allow satan to torment Job?

It is my sentiment that God allowed Job to suffer for this reason.

Earlier in the story, if you remember, the sons of God [angels] had presented themselves before God and, satan, the accuser of mankind, was with them. I'm looking at Job 1: 6 - 12

6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.

7 The LORD asked Satan, "Where have you come from?"
"From roaming through the earth,"Satan answered Him, "and walking around on it."

8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil."

9 Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing?

10 Haven't You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions are spread out in the land.

11 But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face."

12 "Very well," the LORD told Satan, "everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job [himself]." So Satan went out from the LORD's presence.

Remember satan's nature is evil. He looks to devour. He looks to whip up trouble and perpetuate evil. He wants to destroy that which God has made. He wants to be equal to God or, even, be God. He rebelled against God, lost, and was thrown from heaven to Earth, he, and 1/3 of the angels that sided with him. So, while satan is 'roaming the earth and walking around' just what do you think he is up to? No good, is the answer. In verse 12 God placed everything Job owned in satan's power. BUT satan had to accuse God first, seen in verse 10 & 11.

Again the question I pose: Why would God allow satan to test Job and cause him to suffer?

My response is: To show satan and the rest of creation that a man, with a fallen nature, would still choose to trust in God and worship him even in the face of much adversity and suffering.

Job was a devout believer and God had richly blessed him in family and material wealth BUT Job also was a sinner as evidenced by his practice of burnt offerings. A man of great integrity, blameless & upright, yes, but still a sinner.

Of course we know that animal sacrifice [burnt offerings] was the custom used for the atonement of sin before Jesus established a new covenant with mankind when He, Jesus, became that atonement for sin.

Satan was allowed to test Job. Satan, as prosecutor, kept arguing his case before God [and maybe even accusing God]. Satan said if God removed His protection from Job, surely Job would curse God or even denounce God. We see that Job did not curse of denounce God even though advised to by his wife and friends. Through great adversity and suffering Job endured, losing EVERYTHING except his life & wife.

Job STILL chose to worship and trust God.

I pray I am never put to the test Job endured. I wonder, when I read Job, if I would have the same integrity and faith as Job exhibited. How about you that are reading this?

I'd be interested in your thoughts.

We are very blessed. There are millions around the world that endure Job like suffering. They persevere and are even martyred yet stay faithful.

"Father, I pray we may be found with the same integrity and faithfulness that Job displayed when we are tested or even tormented by satan" In Jesus name I ask for your strength and wisdom for us all." Amen and Amen

I am a Fellow Christian Sojourner and One More Disciple of the Christ, Jesus

OMD

..."Their sins and lawless acts...

JESUS WAS BEATEN,SCOURGED, CRUCIFIED, DIED, BURIED, DESCENDED INTO HELL, RAISED FROM THE DEAD, APPEARED TO MANY, ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, THE FATHER, ALMIGHTY. FROM THERE HE WILL JUDGE THE LIVING & THE DEAD.

..."Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."... Hebrews 10:17

Even knowing who He was, in their hearts, their hearts were so bent on evil that they ordered His execution! IMAGINE!! They traded the truth for a lie and thinking they were wise they became fools. In the end ALL will bow and proclaim Jesus as Lord of All. Draw near to Him NOW while you still can. Waiting until judgement day will be too late.

A medical accounting of crucifixion

http://www.the-crucifixion.org

33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the

criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

34 But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are
doing " And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him,
saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His
Chosen One."

36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine,

37 and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!" Luke 23:33-37

Jesus chose to die for us so we could choose to live for Him

Imagine, even from the cross, the most humiliating, cruel and painful way to be put to death, Jesus prayed for forgiveness for those responsible. I wonder if Barabbas realized that God took his, Barabbas', place? Did he ever realized That God saved his life, which gave HIM another chance to repent? I wonder what ever happened to Barabbas?

A Fellow Christian Sojourner and One More Disciple of the Christ, Jesus

OMD

Easter in Romania

Today I'm going to highlight a Missions organization by the name of Word Made Flesh [WMF]. Here is their vision statement:

Vision Statement:

"Word Made Flesh is called and committed to serving Jesus among the poorest of the poor. This calling is realized as a prophetic ministry for, and a holistic, incarnational ministry among, the world's poor. We focus our energy to make Jesus known among the poor while reconciling the Church with the poor."

"Our involvement for the poor is primarily through serving the Church as a prophetic voice articulating God's passion for the poor through Scripture and further educating them concerning the needs of the world. We seek to reconcile the Church with the poor as a means of communicating and testifying of God's redemptive work in our lives. This movement of bringing the Church and the poor together is done through Biblical preaching, teaching, discipleship, exposure experiences, music, media and other creative means. As we participate in this movement we pray that our lives will answer both the cry of God for the poor and the cry of the poor for God."

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At the end of this post I am also including a letter from a friend of mine "Rachel" who is a missionary in Romania with WMF.

As Disciples of the Christ we are called to participate in spreading God's message of hope and salvation. Part of this can be in the area of Missions. I don't mean you have to pack up your gear and quit your job or leave your family [unless you're called to].

We, as disciples, can participate and derive a great joy and blessing that comes from missionary support. THIS is the other way to participate! Whether it's praying or writing or sending monetary support, God will honor your participation.

Read in Philippians 2: 10 - 20. It is there that Paul is thanking the Philippians for their gifts [not that he was looking for one, though] It is in verse 17 where Paul indicates that their, the Philippians, gifts will be credited to their account [in heaven]. He goes on to say in verse 18 that their gifts are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, which is pleasing to God AND that "my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ, Jesus."

Now for Rachel's letter. She has served in Romania for sometime now, I think 6 - 8 years. Rachel left (I should say was called and she accepted) the comfort of her home to go to Romania and work with the street children.

Be listening for God's voice in your lives.

A Fellow Christian Sojourner and One More Disciple of the Christ, Jesus

Solis Deo Gloria

OMD

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WORD MADE FLESH

Hi friends,

Easter on the Orthodox Church calendar falls at the end of April this year, which has caused a little confusion for me as I think about observing a season of Lent. My Western calendar says I should have begun early in February, but that would mean two and a half months of observing Lent! Nope, I'll stick to the 40 days, thanks very much. Due to this difference of calendars, it feels early for me to share an Easter reflection, but I have an encounter that I am eager to share and I also know that most of you reading this letter are already well into the Lenten Season and will be celebrating Easter in March this year. The following is based on a journal entry from November 2007.

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I approached Ron and Audra's apartment building, puzzled by the police officer and medical vehicle parked out front. Two black printed words across the side of the yellowed-white station wagon announced: "LEGAL MEDICINE." The back trunk door was popped open, and I thought, "Funeral, at this hour?" The police officer, chatting with a slightly distressed middle aged woman in her long black overcoat and furry hat, rested his arms against his chest and casually watched me as I approached. When I passed by, I heard the officer utter in a low tone, "Let's see what she does." I pretended not to hear and proceeded on past the medical vehicle which was backed up to the front entrance of the apartment building. A single glance inside the opened back confirmed my fears – dead body. "But no," I thought, "That was just a blanket bundled up in the shape of a body. I've never seen a funeral without a casket, and never a body simply wrapped up in a blanket!"

As I entered the building, a solitary light bulb cast long shadows from an open apartment door beneath the stairwell. I quickly mounted the stairs to my second floor destination. Then I smelled it. That smell. The unforgettable smell of rotting human flesh, an odor of putrid decay. My stomach turned. I knocked on the door. No one answered. I knocked again, harder, louder. The odor of human decay wafted all around me as I took short, quick breathes, desperate for an escape.

Ron answered the door with a smile and I rushed inside, closing the door securely behind me. He seemed puzzled by my rapid, flustered entry, but I had no time to explain before I was tackled by his two little boys, full of stories and happy to see me. In an effort to protect the boys from the trauma outside their door, I said nothing until after dinner when I was alone with their parents and the boys were occupied with toys. I explained which apartment door I had seen open and Audra recalled having met an old man crawling on his hands and knees near there once before. She had asked another neighbor if anyone should help him but she was told to just leave him alone. Was he alcoholic? Probably.

Who was inside that blanket? How did he die? We could only guess that an old, lonely, possibly alcoholic man died in his apartment and was discovered later on by a neighbor or relative who called the police to investigate and take care of the body.

So here I was confronted with the putrid odor of a cold, motionless, lifeless body. This is a peculiar smell that one does not forget. And this was not my first encounter with the smell of death. Romanian funerals are traditionally three day events, and almost always open casket. Since my arrival six years ago, I have attended an average of one funeral per year. In 2006, I attended three funerals in the space of four months.

In Romania, after a person dies they are placed in an open coffin in a room of their home where family and friends mourn their passing for three days. After the three days have passed, an orthodox priest comes to the home and reads or sings the funeral liturgy. The open casket is then placed on a flat bed truck and a procession of mourners line up behind the slow moving casket, accompanying the deceased on their journey to a final resting place. As the procession nears the cemetery, the gate keeper rings a huge bell and the procession passes through the gate under the sounding bell. Gathered at the grave sight, the priest performs the final rites of the liturgy, the family is asked to bid their final farewell at which point the women usually wail and kiss the hands of the deceased. Finally the cemetery workers slide the cover onto the casket, nail it down on each corner with stinging blows, and lower the casket into the pit.

As I walked home that night my thoughts were flooded with scenes of flickering candles and funeral processions and the piercing cries of weeping mothers as four large nails are pounded into the coffin to secure the cover before lowering the dead into their grave.

But even as these painful memories swirled through my mind, my spirit was stirred by a peculiar hope. That very morning during chapel we had read through the entire account in John 11 of Jesus raising his good friend Lazarus from the dead. Resurrection!

Jesus arrived in Bethany four days after Lazarus' death. They warned him not to go near the tomb because of the smell -- the smell of death. Jesus wept. But then he went forward, refusing to listen to Martha's concern. "Lazarus, come forth!" And out he came. That was all, just three simple words, and the dead was restored to life. No putrid odor, no decay, no bodily fluids staining the ground. Just life. Lazarus, living and breathing and alive!

And this Jesus, this Restorer of life, He is our God and we are His friends. This one who raises the dead without fear of their odor, He is the one we serve. He is the God of life.

He says to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26).

And now Jesus is asking us the same question, "Do you believe this? Do you really believe that I have power over death?"

I believe He does. And I am convinced that if we truly believe in God's power over death we would live our lives much differently than those around us, not with fear or anxiety but full of hope, peace and joy. This Easter I am challenged to ask myself if my life reflects my belief in a God of resurrection, the God who weeps over the death of His friends but also restores them to life!

May the God of peace whisper words of hope to each one and stir our hearts to live in the light of our radiant resurrected King who is not afraid of the smell of death, our God of life who promises us life everlasting. May He have mercy on us and grant us peace.

~Rachel

WORD MADE FLESH

I received this story from a person close to me. It sorta speaks for itself and what we are to be doing as disciples of Jesus. Enjoy the post and I'll be intrigued to read your comments about how God has spoken to you. I include a scripture at the bottom

A Fellow Christian Sojourner & One More Disciple of the Christ, Jesus

OMD

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car,or are walking by, you will notice something...

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen

not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing.

If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the

source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.It lets the blind friend know where the

other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is

always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and

then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops

occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear

the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are

not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even

brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God

places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their

way...

Good friends are like that... You may not always see them, but you know they are always

there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

And remember...Bekinder than necessary -

Everyone you meet is fighting somekind of battle.

Live simply,

Love generously,

Care deeply,

Speak kindly....

Leave the rest to God

Scripture from Romans 8:31-39

...31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;

34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There Goes the Neighborhood

The American and Canadian governments have several things in common, including, it appears, the pursuit of radical hate speech laws.

As the U.S. braces for another round of hate crimes legislation this spring, our northern neighbors are already engaged in an all-out battle over free speech.

The latest victim is popular author and columnist Mark Steyn, who wrote the best-seller America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It.

Although the book was published by an American company, excerpts that later appeared in the Canadian press have become the subject of investigation by the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC). The book, which contrasts Islamic values with those of the West, was considered "a misrepresentation" of the Muslim religion by the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC).

As a result of CIC's complaint, Steyn finds himself at the center of a controversial debate over the limits of public expression. Using charges of "discrimination" as a means of silencing opposition, the CHRC's investigation jeopardizes freedom in all of North America.

During an interview with The Washington Times, Steyn said, "Offense is in the eye of the beholder. The commissions aren't weighing facts but hurt feelings."

Ironically, when Christians or conservatives object to similar treatment, they usually find themselves on the losing side of the argument, or worse, completely overlooked.

Unfortunately, this is just a preview of things to come if the U.S. House is successful when the battle over new federal hate crimes resumes. As Mark Steyn can attest, nothing less than our first freedoms are at stake.

FRC Action: 801 G Street N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20001

P: 202/393-2100 or 888/372-2284

W: frcaction.org

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, we're back! Have had this bug that's going around since Christmas. This is the first day I've felt remotely normal since Christmas Day. I gleaned the article above from the FRCActionUpdate (Family Research Council).

As disciple's of the Christ we have been transformed from being "of the world" into simply being "in the world." Our primary responsibility is to be Ambassadors of God. We are to bring His message of Hope, Love, Grace, Forgiveness & Truth to a world desperately in need of Him, through Jesus.

Hate speech?? Who determines when someone speaks hatefully? It seems whoever cries foul!!

Does disagreeing with a position constitute hate? Seems that way.

Does making objective comparisons constitute hate? Apparently.

We already know that speaking or teaching from the Bible is considered hate by many. What other things can each of you think of that could be constituted as hate speech?

What are we as citizens do? Just stand idly by and look the other way? That's how we got into this mess!

Although we may be only "in this world" God tells us that we are to participate, to stand firm, to speak up.

The verb... Hate - Dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards.

The noun... Hate - The emotion of hate; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action.

It seems to me that the purveyors of hate are those that have hijacked the word "tolerance." Tolerance never meant you couldn't speak up on an issue in the arena of thought and ideas. Now it means if you disagree then you are intolerant and hate(v). So the objecting party's "hate"(n) now takes action based from an EMOTION. Rational thought is disallowed, it appears.

So remember, we "IN" the world, acting as ambassadors of God, are to bring "the truth" of God's word to the people "OF" the world and we should not be surprised when the world acts or reacts with negativity which is will be based on "emotion", instead of rationality, to the words and truths of God.

In Isaiah 55:8 God declares ~ "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

Jesus also taught about a Disciples' relation to the world in John 15: 18-19 ~ 18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." See, we have been chosen and we are to seek for the others that are chosen but don't know it.

My prayer for 2008 is, we that are in the world will become emboldened to present the hope of the Word of God to a drowning world. Let's stand strong and firm. We need not attack nor retreat BUT just Stand Firm. Let me know what your thoughts are.

A Fellow Christian Sojourner and One More Disciple of the Christ, Jesus

OMD