Sometimes Life Isn’t Fair
Book of Job
A) As a church family, we have experienced that in a very real way over the past few weeks.
That truth has been vividly illustrated to us – as we have hurt – suffered and shed many tears together as a family.
Most of us could cite examples of unfair treatment in our own lives.
A mate who leaves without explanation.
Children that are abused by their parents.
Circumstances where we or someone else has been
left physically impaired.
People who have made untrue accusations about us
personally or someone in our family.
And the list could go on and on and on.
But, nothing hurts like the loss of a loved one.
Whether it be sudden and tragic – or expected after a lengthy illness, yet unexpected – as we are not ready to give them up.
And many times – as Christians – we’re not sure how we should react when life treats us unfairly.
I believe, the greatest test in the life of a Christian is his/her attitude when something takes place, that demonstrates so vividly that life is not always fair!
B) For most of us here today, life has been pretty smooth.
We’re healthy, we’re happy, we’re prospering, no major complaints.
But, when we’re reminded of those who are less fortunate:
when we are faced with the pain and suffering of a friend or loved one
when we come in contact with those who life is treating unfairly
those who are struggling physically – emotionally – financially –
then we are quickly reminded – that security in this life can be quickly jerked from under anyone of us at any given moment.
Again, I really believe our greatest test and our greatest opportunity to witness that Christ is real in our life is our attitude when something takes place that we can’t really understand or explain.
People in the world around us are not nearly as impressed with our testimony or our relationship with Jesus Christ when things are going great, as they are when things are going all wrong.
Biblical examples of bad things happening to good people and what our reaction should be:
Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers
Daniel was thrown into a lion’s den by King Darius
Hosea and his unfaithful wife
the Apostle Paul and a multitude of persecution and suffering the Lord Himself .
The classic example most people are familiar with –
whether they be knowledgeable of God’s Word or not – is that of Job.
The problem is, sometimes we feel we’re so familiar with the surface story of Job, we miss its deeper meaning.
Starting with the 1st chapter, follow along with me as we take time to get a brief overall sketch of the story of Job.
I. Job’s Character
A) As you read the story of Job, you have to be impressed with his character.
Job was a very, very blessed man. Job 1:2-3
Job was not only rich in material things, he was also rich in family. Job 1:2
In spite of all of his riches, Job was a righteous man. Job 1:5
B) Job really was a man who had it all.
He was respected by his peers.
He was a judge in his city.
He was one of the greatest men of his time.
Job was at the place in his life that most people only dream of!
And, to top it all off, Job was also known for his commitment to God!
Then suddenly – Job’s life fell apart!
II. Job’s Experience
A) We will soon see that Satan was responsible for bringing a series of calamities into Job’s life.
Chapter 1:9-11
Satan knows it’s easy to be good when things are going our way, but what is interesting is how we do when life gets tough!
Then we see the true strength of our faith and commitment!
It seems as though some of the devil’s favorite weapons are those that happen suddenly;
sudden reversal sudden rejection
sudden fame sudden adversity
sudden prosperity.
B) Chapter 1:12-19
God mysteriously gives Satan permission to test Job and we see that Satan did so with a crushing thoroughness.
Satan removes everything that Job had within a matter of minutes – Job 1:13-19
Job’s response Job 1:20-22
In all that had taken place, in all of the losses that Job had suffered, Job refused to blame God!
C) Satan then came back to God on another day, as we see in the 2nd chapter.
God is very pleased with his servant Job! Job 2:3
Satan’s reply – Job 2:4-5
I think this points out Satan isn’t very smart when it comes to love.
Satan had already played his best hand – when he killed Job’s children.
You can’t hurt someone anymore than to take away their children!
Job’s body is afflicted with pain from sores from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet! Job 2:7-8
Look at verse 12 – his friends hardly recognized him.
And remember Job had no pain-killers to ease the pain.
D) Job received some terrible counsel.
1st from his wife. Job 2:9
When Satan takes something away, did you ever wonder why he takes certain things and not others.
Job had enough trouble without being stuck with his wife while he was suffering, see Job 19:17.
But, keep in mind, she too had suffered a dramatic reversal of life-style.
When bad things happen to people – it doesn’t always make them better – sometimes it makes them very bitter!
2nd Job also received poor counsel from 3 of his closest friends.
The wisdom of Job’s friends is a lot like that of the world.
They think whenever something bad has happened it must be some punishment from God for something you did, either recent or a long time ago and it’s just catching up with you.
Look at how Job answered them. Job 13:13-18; 23:10
III. Lessons We Should Learn
A) 1st – suffering isn’t always easy to explain, so don’t try!
I think we get ourselves into trouble when we try to interpret circumstances immediately when they happen.
We can search all through the Bible and not come up with a nice, neat, little, concise formula concerning why the righteous suffer. All through the N. T. we read that God allows us to suffer so that we will mature, but that really doesn’t explain it either!
Why aren’t the problems of life more equally distributed, to bring about maturity? I don’t really know.
Why do some families seem to get more than their share? I don’t know.
And since we don’t fully understand, we need to guard against trying to explain everything that happens!
We need to sympathize with those who are hurting. Romans 12:15
B) 2nd lesson is being good does not exempt us from calamity, so don’t expect it to.
Matthew 5:45
Can you imagine what it would be like, if when you became a Christian, God sent just exactly the right amount of rain for your garden, but He didn’t for your neighbor’s garden.
While it may sound good, we might have a lot of people becoming Christians for the wrong reason.
Our motive for being a Christian is important.
Jesus told us to expect trials. John 16:33
C) 3rd lesson is God is not the author of most suffering, so don’t blame Him.
I said most suffering, because I think that God is the author of some. Proverbs 3:11-12; Revelation 3:19
Satan was responsible for the sufferings of Job and it was Satan who should have been blamed and such is often the case today.
So when bad things happen, don’t just shake your head and say, "God why are you doing this to me?"
Much of what happens, God is not responsible for, although He mysteriously permits it!
D) #4 is genuine faith does not require immediate answers, so don’t doubt.
An important lesson from Job, is that even though you don’t understand what is going on, God is still good and ultimately He will make things right!
And as Christians we need to learn to say, "I don’t understand, but I believe with all my heart that in the end God will bring something good out of all things for those who love Him!!
E) The 5th and final lesson is God’s blessings are promised to those who persevere, so don’t quit.
Isaiah 40:31
F) Job’s story doesn’t end on a sour note.
In the last chapter of Job, we read in verses 12-13, that because of Job’s perseverance, he was blessed beyond compare.
God’s justice doesn’t fully take place until eternity.
Conclusion:
A) Story of “It Is Well With My Soul” by H. G. Spafford
B) No life is not always fair, but neither was the cross!
