WHAT TO DO WHEN GOD DOES NOT MAKE SENSE
Text: Job 1:1-2:13
Introduction:
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN LIFE DOES NOT MAKE SENSE?
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN LIFE DOES NOT SEEM FAIR?
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN FEELINGS OF ABANDONMENT ARE EXPERIENCED?
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU TEMPTED TO GIVE UP?
FACTS ABOUT JOB:
1. Job was GODLY MAN– vs. 1
a. Perfect
b. Upright
c. Feared God
d. Hated Evil
Note: Through Job’s life we see, Not only to BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE; BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GODLY PEOPLE.
2. Job was a BLESSED MAN – vvs. 2-5
3. Job was a FAITHFUL MAN – vs. 5 – “Thus did Job continually”
2
4. Job was a RESPECTED MAN – vs. 8
5. Job was a PROTECTED MAN – vs. 10
6. Job was an TESTED MAN – vss. 13-19
a. LOST HIS CHILDREN
b. LOST HIS OXEN
c. LOST HIS MATERIAL POSSESSIONS
d. LOST HIS EMPLOYEES
e. LOST EVERYTHING OF SIGNIFICANCE
7. Job was a WORSHIPFUL MAN – vvs. 20-22
8. Job was a CRITICIZED MAN
a. Wife – 2:9-10
b. Friends – 2:11-13
9. Job was a GRIEVING MAN – 2:13
Proposition: 5 ACTIONS when GOD DOES NOT MAKE SENSE:
I. FIRST ACTION: KNOW GOD’S CHARACTER ALWAYS SUPERCEEDS LIFE’S CIRCUMSTANCES – Malachi 3:6
Note: vs. 22 – Job did not blame God, nor did he charge him foolishly.
Note: 2:9-10 – Job chose INTEGRITY over FOOLISHNESS
WHY?
BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT GOD’S CHARACTER ALWAYS SUPERCEEDS LIFE’S CIRUMSTANCES.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
A. GOD’S LOVE has not changed
Illustration: Greatest proof of Eternal Security other than His Word is, “THE ONE THING THAT DIFFERENCIATES HIS LOVE FROM OURS IS THAT HE DOES NOT THROW US AWAY WHEN WE LET HIM DOWN.”
B. GOD’S COMPASSION has not changed
Lament. 3:22-23 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23)They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
C. GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY has not changed
D. GOD’S POWER has not changed
E. GOD’S PROMISES have not changed
F. GOD’S HOLINESS has not changed
G. GOD’S VICTORY has not changed
H. GOD’S PRESENCE has not changed
II. SECOND ACTION: CHOOSE TO BE THANKFUL – 1 Thess. 5:18
Note: Job’s response: vs. 21 – The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD
Application: ANGER leads to BITTERNESS
THANKFULNESS leads to BETTERNESS.
1 Thes. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
A. Be thankful because EVEN AT OUR WORST GOD IS AT HIS BEST
B. Be thankful because IT IS REQUIRED FOR GOD’S WILL
C. Be thankful because IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR WORSHIP
D. Be thankful because IT IS PROOF OF ONE’S FAITH IN GOD’S GREATNESS
E. Be thankful because IT SENDS A MESSAGE OF VICTORY TO THE DEVIL
III. THIRD ACTION: GIVE CARES TO GOD – 1 Pt. 5:7
Note: Job’s Response: Job 5:6-8 Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; [7] Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. [8] I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
DANGER: Acting as if we know the pain another is experiencing. THE TRUTH IS THAT WE CANNOT KNOW UNLESS WE HAVE BE THROUGH IT.
Illustration: Jesus cares & can relate to any trial
• He tempted in every way we are tempted, yet without sin.
• He was criticized like no one else
• He was beaten as no one else has ever been beaten
• He died like no one else has ever had to die
• He was misjudged in the most unfair way
• He was rejected by those of which he was dying
A. Giving cares to God RELEASES US OF THE BURDEN
B. Giving cares to God STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH
C. Giving cares to God DICTATES OUR DEPENDENCE
D. Giving cares to God SILENCES THE DEVIL
E. Giving cares to God ENHANCES OUR PRAYER LIFE
F. Giving cares to God PROVES HIS CARE FOR US
Note: THE QUESTION HAS BEEN ASKED, “DOES JESUS REALLY CARE?”
i. Jesus cares EVEN WHEN WE DO NOT
ii. Jesus cares EVEN WHEN NO ONE ELSE DOES
iii. Jesus cares EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE HE DOES NOT
IV. FOURTH ACTION: TRUST GOD’S WAYS – Is. 55:9
Note: Job’s Response: 13:15 – Job said, “Though the Lord sleigh me, yet will I trust him.
Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
3 Undeniable truths regarding God’s ways:
1. GOD ALWAYS KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING.
2. GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES
3. SOME THINGS WILL NOT BE REVEALED UNTIL WE GET TO HEAVEN.
THE ONE THING I KNOW IS: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
A. Trusting God’s ways REQUIRES GREAT FAITH
B. Trusting God’s ways REQUIRES GREAT OBEDIENCE
C. Trusting God’s ways REQUIRES GREAT SACRIFICE
D. Trusting God’s ways REQUIRES A GREAT SPIRIT
E. Trusting God’s ways REQUIRES GREAT PURPOSE
Application: GOD ALLOWS AFFLICTION, NOT TO BREAK US BUT TO BROADEN US.
V. FIFTH ACTION: LOOK FOR THE GOOD – Rom. 8:28
Note: Job’s Response - Job 5:9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
A. Look for the Good ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS ARE LOOKING BAD
B. Look for the Good BECAUSE GOD IS GOOD
C. Look for the Good BECAUSE THE BEST DAYS ARE STILL TO COME
D. Look for the good BECAUSE IN IT WE WILL SEE JESUS
Note: DON’T MISS THE GOOD WHEN GOING THROUGH THE BAD.
Conclusion:
QUESTION: WHERE IS GOD WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN?
ANSWER: THE SAME PLACE HE WAS WHILE HIS SON WAS PLACED ON THE CROSS.
Illustration: JESUS - On the Cross
WHAT DO WE DO WHEN GOD DOES NOT MAKE SENSE?
1. KNOW GOD’S CHARACTER ALWAYS SUPERCEEDS LIFE’S CIRCUMSTANCES
2. CHOOSE TO BE THANKFUL
3. GIVE CARES TO GOD
4. TRUST GOD’S WAYS
5. LOOK FOR THE GOOD
