Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#16]
THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM DISASTER
Job 3:16
Introduction:
This sermon title for our chapter 3 verse 16 text sounds like an oxymoron; but it is very true. Many of you know that I struggle with some health issues, just as my son Tharon does. The main difference is that Tharon is blind and I am not. The Lord has blessed both of us with great doctors. About a month ago, my neurologist referred me to a physical therapist; and honestly, I wasn’t sure what I thought about that. I have been going to Physical Therapy for several weeks now and it has been amazing. I went from passing out every night to not passing out in over 2 weeks- That’s huge. The pain level of my headaches have went way down. This week my Physical Therapist has discovered numerous ways to knock me out; but also ways to help me. He would press nerves on the right side of my body and my heart rate would shoot up and I would almost pass out. Then he would press the same nerve on the left side of my body and everything would go back to normal.
The reason I tell you all of this, is to show you that God can use a tough time in your life for good. I have realized that if the many doctors that have been helping me figure out ways to help me, then they can help Tharon; and it doesn’t stop there. If they can help us, they can help others with similar problems and even unrelated issues. When I think of it that way, my attitude changes. Our text this morning shows us that even when life is falling apart, God is still in control.
Job 3:16 (NIV)
“Or why was I not hidden in the ground like a stillborn child, like an infant who never saw the light of day?”
There is hope in…
1. Good days.
The Book of Job begins by telling us that Job was a godly man who was living in a way that pleased God. Because of his faithfulness to God, God had greatly blessed him with a large family (7 sons and 3 daughters), a large amount of possessions, and a prominence among the people of the East.
Job was faithful to pray for his children often. He prayed that God would forgive them for any wrong doing. We are told that God had put a hedge around Job, his household, and everything he had. Job’s life was good and he gave God all of the glory for his great life.
There is hope in…
2. Bad days.
As you continue to read through Job 1, you will find that Satan showed up in Heaven and he had a conversation with the Lord. Satan fully believed that if God would take His protection away from Job’s family and Job’s possessions that Job would curse God. God allowed this to happen to Job- All of his possessions were stolen or destroyed. All of his servants, (except the 3 that brought Job the messages) died. All of his children were dead.
Job 1:20-22 (NIV)
“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”
After losing almost everything, Job continued to praise God. Once again, Satan talked with God and told God that if He would allow him to mess with Job’s health that he would definitely curse God. God allowed the enemy to afflict Job with painful sores all over his body. Although Job was scraping his sores with a piece of pottery for a little bit of relief, he still did not curse God. To top everything off, Job’s wife told him to curse God and give up. 3 of Job’s friends also showed up and did not even recognize Job. They sat with Job for 7 days and 7 nights without saying a word.
When we get to Job 3, Job has had all he can handle. He cursed the day that he was born. He asked why he was even born.
Job 3:26 (NIV)
“I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil."
I’m sure that many people here today can agree that you have been here. It seems that nothing can get worse. You have no idea why God would allow you to go through all that you are going through. Life just makes no sense. It isn’t until Job 42 that things start getting better for Job. That is a long time to wait; but God is still faithful.
Conclusion:
Job 42:10-17 (NIV)
“After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters. The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers. After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so he died, old and full of years.”
God will use all that you are going through for good if you will allow Him to do so. Even during difficult times, there is hope through Jesus Christ. Keep serving God.
