Lesson 1: Some Answers To Suffering

A. QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

1. Human. Why do the innocent suffer?

Answer: Sin. The answer Job’s friends gave.

2. Justify. What is the point in serving God if bad things happen?

Answer: Can you keep your faith in a good, long, sovereign God when all around you fails?

3. Blame. What is God not telling me that would make sense out of my trouble? Answer: Live in the darkness by the principles learned in the light.

4. Grin and bear it. Don’t worry, you will get through it.

Answer: ________________

5. Rationalization. This could be a lot worse, look on the bright side.

Answer: Why can’t I have what my “comforter” has?

6. Fatalistic. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.

Answer: You have surrendered.

7. Bottom line. Job wasn’t meant to know why things happened to make him suffer.

a. We think we have a right to know.

b. If Job had known, there would have been no opportunity for faith.

c. There is no final answer, “Why do the godly suffer?”

d. God’s plan. “We know that all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28).

B. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. Suffering often is the result of unseen conflict in the spiritual world.

a. Satan hates humans and loves to torment them. “Enmity between thee and the woman” (Gen. 3:15).

b. Satan wants our allegiance. “Taken captive by Satan at his will” (II Tim. 2:26).

2. God is sovereign over Satan in our suffering.

a. Satan had to get permission.

b. Satan had limits.

C. SOME ANSWERS TO SUFFERING

1. Most suffering is response to natural causes.

2. Some suffering is disciplinary to make us stronger and useable. “Lest I should be exalted above measure . . . there was given to me a thorn” (II Cor. 12:7). “Most gladly will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me . . . when I am weak, then I am strong” (II Cor. 12:9-10).

3. Some suffering comes from the enemy. “There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me” (II Cor. 12:7).

4. God uses our suffering as an example to others. “For examples in suffering, look to the prophets . . . Job is an example of a man who continued to trust the Lord in sorrow” (James 5:10-11, LB).

5. Some suffering comes because of our mistakes or our omissions or our hardheaded obstinacy.

6. Some suffering is because we are being punished by God. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). “He . . . eateth and drinketh damnation to himself . . . for this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep” (I Cor. 11:29-30).

7. Some suffering is persecution. “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you” (I Peter 4:12).

D. EPILOGUE

1. Rejoice. “Behold, happy [is] the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty” (Job 5:17).

2. Confidence. But He knows the way that I take; [When] He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

3. God’s plan. “Ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good” (Gen. 50:20).

4. Glorify God. “Yet if [anyone suffers] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (I Peter 4:16).

5. Yielded and trust. “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls [to Him] in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (I Peter 4:19).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.

To receive this lesson, log on to www.elmertowns.com. You will find it under Sunday School lessons. To email Dr. Towns, eltowns@liberty.edu. For more information on the class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.