WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.900 Thank you very much, Ellen. Well, good morning, everyone. As has been mentioned already, my name is Alistair and it is my privilege to be the assistant pastor here at Brunsfield. 00:00:09.060 --> 00:00:17.019 And this morning it is my joy to open up Job chapter two together with you all. 00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:20.400 So please do have that passage open in front of you. We're going to be diving in and out. 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:24.600 But before we do that, let us turn to our God in prayer. Let's pray. 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:31.560 Father, when we come to a passage like this, we have so many questions. 00:00:32.620 --> 00:00:37.539 We have so much experience of suffering in our individual lives. 00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:41.219 And Lord, we ask this morning that we would submit to your word. 00:00:42.840 --> 00:00:46.659 And Lord, we echo that song that we have just listened to or sung at home. 00:00:47.359 --> 00:00:51.579 Lord, we need you. This very hour, we need you. 00:00:51.579 --> 00:01:02.539 And Father, we pray that the words of my mouth and that the meditations of all of our hearts would be pleasing to you, our rock and our redeemer. 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:03.920 Amen. 00:01:06.299 --> 00:01:14.319 In 1967, Johnny Erickson Tada was an athletic 17 year old girl. 00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:22.979 And one day she went out swimming with her sister in a bay and she dove off a raft into shallow water, hitting her head. 00:01:24.259 --> 00:01:32.579 From that moment on, Johnny has been confined to a wheelchair and doesn't have the use of her body from the neck down. 00:01:32.579 --> 00:01:47.759 She says that as she heard that news about her paralysis in her mind, she cried out to God and she said, God, I can't, I won't live like this. 00:01:47.760 --> 00:02:00.020 But knowing that she couldn't physically take her own life, she decided to ruin her life emotionally, mentally and spiritually. 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:08.300 Telling her family to cut her off, basically, to leave her in a dark room day and night and to never come in and see her. 00:02:10.140 --> 00:02:11.700 She wanted to lie in darkness. 00:02:11.699 --> 00:02:16.699 Her physical suffering had brought her to the end of herself. 00:02:18.659 --> 00:02:26.000 And it was in one of those dark rooms that she cried, God, if you won't let me die, show me how to live. 00:02:28.319 --> 00:02:31.959 And then Christian friends gathered around her and opened the Bible with her. 00:02:31.960 --> 00:02:36.860 And she says that over time she learnt a wonderful truth. 00:02:37.820 --> 00:02:44.920 That sometimes God allows what he hates to happen, like suffering and paralysis. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:50.500 To bring forth Christ in her life, the hope of glory. 00:02:50.500 --> 00:03:03.879 Joanie now is a regular speaker about the reality of suffering and the comfort that the gospel can bring to those in pain. 00:03:04.539 --> 00:03:13.840 The hope that people can have as they know that even our suffering is not outwith the control of a good God. 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:22.539 She says that her suffering, or she sees her suffering, in the perspective of eternity. 00:03:23.860 --> 00:03:26.259 And that's what we're going to be thinking about this morning. 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:28.659 Perspective in suffering. 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:35.819 So last week we looked at the absolutely devastating suffering that Job went through. 00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:39.939 As a test to prove the genuineness of his faith. 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:44.780 Now I'd encourage you, if you haven't listened to that sermon, please go and do that. 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:48.419 And follow with us through the entire series on the book of Job. 00:03:50.039 --> 00:03:55.419 In Job chapter 1, Job lost all of his worldly possessions. 00:03:56.680 --> 00:03:59.840 All ten of his children died. 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:03.079 All of his servants were killed. 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:08.879 And yet even after all of that, the chapter ends with that wonderful declaration. 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:11.159 The Lord gives. 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:13.400 And the Lord takes away. 00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:16.540 Blessed be the name of the Lord. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:24.399 And we must acknowledge that the suffering Job goes through is very extreme. 00:04:25.339 --> 00:04:29.439 It's not the kind of suffering that many of us or any of us will go through. 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:34.199 I can't imagine a time when any of us will lose our entire families. 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:38.319 In fact, I pray that that tragedy never happens to any of us. 00:04:38.319 --> 00:04:50.659 But I think probably even more unimaginable than Job's suffering is the perspective he has in the middle of that overwhelming suffering. 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:58.120 Job's perspective is to praise God in the pain that is his every single day. 00:04:58.120 --> 00:05:03.139 And Job doesn't come to that perspective overnight. 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:09.620 That perspective is birthed out of years of contemplating who God is. 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:13.120 And experiencing his gifts and his character. 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:18.360 Job's perspective comes from a deep conviction of who God is. 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:25.480 And I can say that as I've sat with many Christians over the years, I have seen this perspective in the flesh. 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:27.300 In older saints. 00:05:28.080 --> 00:05:30.620 Who've experienced the Lord in marvelous ways. 00:05:30.840 --> 00:05:33.460 Both in times of joy and happiness. 00:05:34.939 --> 00:05:36.560 And in times of agony. 00:05:37.680 --> 00:05:38.420 And turmoil. 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:46.600 Suffering for the average Christian today could mean the death of a loved one. 00:05:48.580 --> 00:05:50.140 Maybe you lose a parent. 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:51.800 Or a sibling. 00:05:53.700 --> 00:05:59.580 Maybe in some tragedy a child is taken away from you after a short life. 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:06.699 Or maybe the child doesn't even survive the full length of the pregnancy. 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:17.299 Or maybe you lose a job and suddenly, you've been in that job for years and suddenly that financial stability is taken away. 00:06:17.299 --> 00:06:21.639 That assurance of a monthly paycheck is ripped away and you're at a loss. 00:06:24.479 --> 00:06:25.899 Maybe you go to the doctors. 00:06:26.599 --> 00:06:28.199 And you're diagnosed with cancer. 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:32.920 Maybe you're told you have an incurable illness. 00:06:33.019 --> 00:06:35.339 Or maybe you're told you only have a few months to live. 00:06:38.459 --> 00:06:40.939 Maybe your suffering isn't physical but it is mental. 00:06:41.819 --> 00:06:47.560 And your day and night is plagued with anxiety that cripples you. 00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:55.000 Maybe it's the shadows of depression that plague your life. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:07:00.500 Or maybe you're still feeling the effects of childhood trauma. 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:06.980 That plague every single day and you never seem to get any relief. 00:07:07.160 --> 00:07:08.800 Everything seems lost. 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:14.420 Now none of that is the extent of suffering that Job's goes through. 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:16.460 But it is suffering. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:18.960 And it is hard. 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:27.419 We shouldn't look at Job and think that we need to suck it up because he suffered far worse than we ever will. 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:34.879 But what we do need to do is look at Job's perspective and try to learn from it. 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:38.300 And we need to learn from Job's grief. 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:45.600 See I think our British nature means that many of us have a stiff upper lip approach to suffering. 00:07:46.840 --> 00:07:50.780 We put on a face and we say everything will be fine and we just power through. 00:07:50.779 --> 00:08:01.379 But in reality we all know that that is a superficial mask that covers something far less glamorous. 00:08:03.899 --> 00:08:07.259 The reality is that when we suffer we will cry. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:09.399 We will grieve. 00:08:09.559 --> 00:08:10.439 We will mourn. 00:08:10.559 --> 00:08:12.219 And we will feel pain. 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:12.959 And you know what? 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:14.259 That is okay. 00:08:14.259 --> 00:08:19.759 We need to learn to grieve like Job. 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:24.360 There is nothing wrong with crying and showing emotion. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:30.539 We need to take off our masks and get vulnerable with each other. 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:35.840 To create a safe space to suffer well for the glory of God. 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:41.059 And Job will help us this morning see a healthy way to grieve. 00:08:41.059 --> 00:08:44.639 As well as a good perspective in suffering. 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:52.139 So if last week in Job chapter 1 all the suffering or suffering was all about things external to Job. 00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:55.979 This morning in Job 2 it is all about physical suffering. 00:08:58.079 --> 00:09:03.099 We are going to look at verses 1 to 8 which are about suffering that breaches the skin. 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:08.759 And then verses 9 to 13 which are all about three perspectives. 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:12.580 Three responses to suffering in the ashes. 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:18.720 So the first thing we see in this passage is suffering that breaches the skin. 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:20.379 In verses 1 to 8. 00:09:20.779 --> 00:09:23.019 Suffering that breaches the skin. 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:29.279 Now chapter 2 begins in an almost identical way as Job chapter 1 does. 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:33.759 Satan shows up to this heavenly courtroom with God on his throne. 00:09:34.579 --> 00:09:43.879 And God is receiving reports from the supernatural beings through whom he is in absolute control of the goings on in the world. 00:09:45.339 --> 00:09:47.039 But there are two differences here. 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:50.959 The first is in verse 1 where it says this. 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:51.679 Read with me. 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:57.759 Satan also came with them to present himself before him and that is before God. 00:09:57.759 --> 00:10:00.559 So this time it is explicit. 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:04.379 The Satan, the accuser is there on purpose. 00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:11.519 He is invited as another created being through whom God governs the world. 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:16.319 Satan is under the control of God. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:21.500 And he can only work within the parameters that God allows him to. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:28.179 Last week God allowed Satan to touch Job's possessions. 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:32.700 Things external to himself that were very near and dear to him. 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:34.039 We don't want to minimize that. 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:37.200 And all of it was taken away. 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:43.879 God let that happen in order to test the genuineness of Job's faith. 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:50.200 The second difference between chapters 1 and 2 is in verse 3. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:52.419 Where it says this. 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:53.960 Then the Lord said to Satan, 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:56.299 Have you considered my servant Job? 00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:59.139 There is no one on earth like him. 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:00.939 He is blameless and upright. 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:03.820 A man who fears God and shuns evil. 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:08.860 And he still maintains his integrity. 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:13.519 Though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason. 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:17.800 There is repetition here. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.560 But there is also a bit of a difference. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:24.759 The repetition where God highlights Job as an example of godliness. 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:26.480 An example of faith. 00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:31.519 Is there to highlight the futility of Satan's attempts to derail Job. 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:37.740 But the difference is that God says it was all for nothing. 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:41.259 It's as if God is saying, 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:43.000 Satan, you did your worst. 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:45.759 You broke this man's whole life. 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:48.399 You took everything he had because I let you. 00:11:48.819 --> 00:11:52.159 And still his faith stands. 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:55.960 At the end of chapter 1, 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:59.840 you can imagine Satan sitting in the background rubbing his hands in glee. 00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:03.160 Thinking that Job will be destroyed. 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:07.180 And that he will come to the end of himself. 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:13.960 Satan wants Job dead and gone because of the genuineness of his faith. 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:16.800 Satan is the accuser. 00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:21.759 The enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy. 00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:27.060 He is the accuser whose desire is to minimize the glory of God. 00:12:27.059 --> 00:12:32.379 And he wants to make that happen by destroying Job. 00:12:33.239 --> 00:12:37.500 Who is an example of glorifying God in the midst of suffering. 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:42.139 But in verse 3, God says triumphantly, 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:45.159 Satan, your efforts were all for nothing. 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:49.279 Job's faith stands strong. 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:54.439 But Satan, as the accuser, is at it again in verse 4. 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:54.939 Do you see? 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:57.240 Skin for skin, he replied. 00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:01.120 A man will give all he has for his own life, 00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:04.159 but now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:07.259 and he will surely curse you to your face. 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:13.059 Satan is saying that everything that has happened to Job 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:17.740 is suffering related to things that are external to him. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.659 But if Job's body is attacked, 00:13:20.299 --> 00:13:22.000 then he will curse God. 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:26.840 The only thing left is Job's body. 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:31.259 Satan is covering all the bases in an attempt to bring Job 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:33.179 to the point where he wants to die. 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:38.059 Satan wants to rob God of any glory 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:41.439 that he will get from Job's suffering well. 00:13:43.699 --> 00:13:45.279 When your health goes, 00:13:46.479 --> 00:13:48.039 when your body fails, 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:50.799 when you are physically suffering, 00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:52.039 when your physical being, 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:54.000 who we are, is attacked, 00:13:54.339 --> 00:13:55.079 we are vulnerable. 00:13:59.359 --> 00:14:01.199 Physical suffering is so hard 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:02.520 because you might get to the point 00:14:02.520 --> 00:14:04.440 where you want to tear your body apart. 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:08.180 The pain can be so overwhelming 00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:10.960 that you're consumed day and night with it, 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:12.520 and you can't even remember 00:14:12.520 --> 00:14:14.580 what it's like to be pain-free anymore. 00:14:17.920 --> 00:14:19.360 Now maybe you're sitting there thinking, 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.920 well, what is this 29-year-old? 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:23.960 What does he know about physical suffering? 00:14:26.780 --> 00:14:27.800 Well, eight years ago, 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:29.700 my journey of physical suffering began. 00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:32.900 Which is why I said last week 00:14:32.900 --> 00:14:35.360 that I have lived in the book of Job. 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:39.440 For the last eight years, 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:41.200 I've been suffering from a chronic illness 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:42.960 that means I suffer constant, 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.680 agonizing pain, 00:14:45.420 --> 00:14:49.220 24-7, 365 days a year. 00:14:51.540 --> 00:14:52.860 There is no pain relief, 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:56.940 and there is nothing the doctors can do to help me. 00:14:57.020 --> 00:14:57.820 There is no cure. 00:14:57.820 --> 00:15:00.980 So, suffering is not a stranger to me, 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:03.660 but it is not a friend. 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:09.480 It is a constant and familiar companion. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:12.780 And I say from experience, 00:15:12.900 --> 00:15:15.160 how we respond in those moments of pain 00:15:15.160 --> 00:15:17.180 and suffering is important 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:21.020 because we can either make it push us towards God 00:15:21.020 --> 00:15:24.320 to live for Him in the midst of that pain, 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:27.720 or we can make it push us away from God 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:29.120 and hate Him. 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:34.460 So, let's see how Job responds to his physical suffering. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.160 Verse 6. 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:40.520 God gives Satan permission to afflict Job's body, 00:15:41.020 --> 00:15:44.980 but he must spare Job's life. 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:47.560 Satan wants to destroy Job, 00:15:47.660 --> 00:15:50.900 but God wants to prove the genuineness of his faith 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:52.740 through the test of suffering. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.600 So, friends, Satan is still bound 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:58.100 under the sovereign rule of God 00:15:58.100 --> 00:16:01.439 and unable to go beyond what God allows. 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:05.419 And so, verse 7. 00:16:06.579 --> 00:16:08.559 Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.639 You see that immediately? 00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:11.059 It's that kind of language. 00:16:11.059 --> 00:16:13.659 And afflicted Job with painful sores 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:18.219 from the soles of his feet 00:16:18.219 --> 00:16:20.139 to the crown on his head. 00:16:21.439 --> 00:16:23.899 Job's body is covered from head to toe 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:27.740 with painful, pus-filled oozing sores. 00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:30.759 His skin is discolored, disfigured, 00:16:31.199 --> 00:16:32.279 and peeling off. 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:34.799 Now sit with him for a second. 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:39.379 Imagine how he feels with this absolute, 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:42.959 total, intimate suffering. 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:45.920 With no respite. 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:48.240 No medicine. 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:49.280 No cure. 00:16:49.400 --> 00:16:50.900 And to Job's knowledge, 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.420 no reason. 00:16:55.420 --> 00:16:57.139 Imagine that burning sensation 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:59.200 that he must be consuming him. 00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:02.740 The pain of not being able to sit 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:04.799 without touching a sore that will erupt. 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.720 The pain of day and night 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:08.340 not resting or sleeping 00:17:08.340 --> 00:17:10.920 because of the pain he's in. 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:13.420 The Lord's faithful servant suffers. 00:17:15.300 --> 00:17:17.740 Once a rich man loved by many, 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:21.740 now poor, isolated and alone. 00:17:24.320 --> 00:17:25.500 In verse 8, 00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:27.580 Job took a piece of pottery, 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.539 broken pottery, 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.660 and scraped himself 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:32.240 as he sat among the ashes. 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:35.759 So Job leaves the town 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.940 and he goes to the dump. 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:39.400 He goes to the place 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.339 outside the city 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.880 where all the rubbish would be burned 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:44.220 and he sits in the ashes 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.240 and he mourns. 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:50.460 He goes into isolation, 00:17:50.620 --> 00:17:51.319 all alone, 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:52.700 abandoned, 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:58.980 cut off from his friends, 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.880 all but his wife, 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.120 dead, 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.759 scarred with sores 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.960 that plague him day and night 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.740 and he has no idea why. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:12.640 It's so bad that Job 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:13.980 even takes a piece of pottery 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:16.460 to take the pus out of these sores 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:18.579 to at least get a little bit of relief 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:19.859 if possible. 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:22.460 It's important to say here 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:24.160 that he is not self-harming, 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:26.839 but he's trying to ease the pain 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.660 a little bit. 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:31.440 So Job is in isolated mourning 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.819 and friends, 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:34.599 we need to sit with him in that pain 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:35.740 and realize the devastation 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:37.279 that he is going through. 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:41.640 And we need to learn something here 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:42.519 about mourning. 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.680 We need to know that there is 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:47.039 absolutely nothing wrong 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:49.180 with sitting on the ashes 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:51.579 and weeping the suffering 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.460 that you're going through. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:57.279 I know that for some of you, 00:18:57.779 --> 00:19:00.680 this week has been agony. 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.420 It's been a nightmare. 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:07.019 Things have happened 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:08.460 that have kept you up at night. 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.720 Doctors appointments 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:12.180 have left you with decisions 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:14.140 that you never wanted to make. 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.880 It's been a week of despair. 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:24.000 Or maybe it wasn't this week, 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:25.740 but it is a long-term illness. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:28.039 Or maybe you're continuing 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:29.400 to feel the effects 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:31.140 of some trauma 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:32.539 from your past friends. 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:35.539 It is okay to mourn. 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:38.819 In fact, in the Bible, 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:39.779 it is expected 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.660 that when suffering 00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.720 comes your way, 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:42.960 you take a seat 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.140 with Job in the ashes 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:45.160 and you weep. 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.779 In the UK, 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.680 we hide behind 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.759 a stiff upper lip. 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.480 We don't like 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.859 to think of pain 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.640 in our lives 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:57.480 or our bodies 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.519 because it's hard. 00:19:59.180 --> 00:19:59.900 And we don't like 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:01.240 to show emotions. 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:04.920 But that is suppressing 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:05.980 the very emotions 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:07.640 that God has gifted us with 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:09.400 in order to help us 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.200 in the midst 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.180 of our suffering. 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:14.259 It is okay to grieve. 00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:16.440 It's okay to cry. 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.819 It's okay to mourn. 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.859 And it is okay 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:21.039 to ask why. 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.620 The book of Psalms 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:25.519 is full of that kind 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.039 of lament 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:27.440 and grief. 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:30.340 So we can go to God 00:20:30.340 --> 00:20:31.420 with our hard questions 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.840 and our physical pain 00:20:32.840 --> 00:20:33.900 and cry out to Him. 00:20:35.320 --> 00:20:36.420 Psalm 13 says, 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.960 How long, O Lord? 00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:40.640 Will you forget me forever? 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:43.279 How long will you hide 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:44.500 your face from me? 00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:48.180 Psalm 10. 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.480 Why, O Lord, 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:51.440 do you stand far away? 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:53.700 Why do you hide yourself 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.920 in times of trouble? 00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.480 And in Psalm 88, 00:20:59.620 --> 00:21:00.900 the psalmist describes 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.940 darkness 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:04.140 as his closest friend. 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:08.680 Brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.559 in our pain, 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.559 in our suffering, 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:13.600 we can and we should 00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:14.920 grieve and mourn. 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:18.340 When suffering breaches the skin, 00:21:19.340 --> 00:21:21.000 Job sits on the ash heap 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.000 and he mourns. 00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:25.740 And as he sits 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.779 on those ashes, 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.799 mourning his loss, 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:30.119 mourning his suffering, 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.720 in verses 9 to 13, 00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:34.700 we see three different responses 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:36.200 to suffering in the ashes. 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:38.240 Three different responses 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.799 to suffering in the ashes. 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:43.140 Now there's one bad response 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:45.119 and two good responses here. 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:47.000 And I hope that seeing 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:47.759 these responses 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.740 will help us 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.640 as we suffer, 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:51.180 but also as we help 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:52.820 and care for those 00:21:52.820 --> 00:21:54.100 others who suffer. 00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:57.180 So the first response 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:58.020 is the bad one 00:21:58.020 --> 00:21:59.120 in verse 9 00:21:59.120 --> 00:22:00.820 and it is the response 00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:02.180 of a suffering spouse. 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.580 Read verse 9 with me. 00:22:05.320 --> 00:22:06.580 His wife said to him, 00:22:07.020 --> 00:22:08.320 are you still 00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:10.540 maintaining your integrity? 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:12.100 Just curse God 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:13.160 and die. 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:17.660 I'll take a step back 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:18.779 from this for a second. 00:22:20.320 --> 00:22:22.460 We cannot be too harsh 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.460 on Job's wife 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:26.540 because all of the 00:22:26.540 --> 00:22:28.220 suffering that Job 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.600 went through in chapter 1, 00:22:29.800 --> 00:22:30.640 the exact same 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:31.480 has happened to her. 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:35.259 And now in addition 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.160 to all of that, 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:38.000 losing her possessions, 00:22:38.360 --> 00:22:39.140 losing all 10 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:40.079 of her children, 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:45.559 she's looking at her husband 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.500 who is a shadow 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.740 of a man he used to be. 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:50.819 So we can't be too harsh 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.200 on her. 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:53.200 And we actually 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.640 don't know her intentions 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:55.960 behind what she says. 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:59.339 It could be that she thinks 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.519 her husband is dying 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.839 and out of love for him, 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.700 she doesn't want him 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.799 to suffer anymore. 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.799 And so she says, 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:06.039 just curse God 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:08.220 and suffer some form 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.379 of divine judgment 00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:11.480 and so it will all be over. 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:16.180 It could be that she thinks 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:16.980 Job is suffering 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.180 because of some sin 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.059 in his life 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:21.039 and she thinks 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.619 that he's under 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:22.759 the judgment of God. 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.759 And so she says, 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:25.940 just curse God and die. 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:27.079 Get it over and done with. 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:30.639 Or it could be 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.699 that she is angry. 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:34.500 Angry at the amount 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.740 of pain and suffering 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.619 that is afflicting 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.419 her husband. 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:39.359 And in her anger, 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.740 she says, 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:42.019 why are you holding on 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:42.619 to a God 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.419 who seems to have 00:23:43.419 --> 00:23:44.220 forgotten you? 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.179 Regardless 00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:51.379 of what's going on 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:51.899 in her mind, 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.539 her conclusion 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.240 is the same. 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:55.620 She is telling 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.079 her husband 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:57.180 to give up on God. 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.599 And do you see 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.299 how that is not 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.559 a good or a right 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.440 response when we 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:04.120 face suffering? 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:07.240 Job and his wife 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.880 have not seen 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:08.880 the heavenly courtroom 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.660 which has brought 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.819 about all this suffering. 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.779 They aren't aware 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.759 that all of this 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.599 is a test 00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:15.980 to prove the genuineness 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:17.079 of Job's faith. 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.299 And Job's wife 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.000 doesn't see 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.799 that all of this 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.579 suffering is under 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:24.240 the control 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.119 of a sovereign 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:26.019 good God 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.839 who promises 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:29.359 to preserve 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:30.400 Job's life. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.019 Job's wife 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.480 is acting 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.039 a bit like 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.960 a second Eve. 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.839 Tempting 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.779 her husband 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.319 to sin. 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:41.079 Tempting him 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:41.779 to curse 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:43.039 the very one 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.619 who has given 00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.660 them both breath. 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.380 To curse 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:46.799 the one 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.740 who has blessed 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.839 them abundantly 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:50.299 in their lives. 00:24:51.699 --> 00:24:52.699 She's tempting 00:24:52.699 --> 00:24:53.220 her husband 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:54.879 to fall 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:55.959 into Satan's 00:24:55.959 --> 00:24:56.579 hand 00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:57.519 and do exactly 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.119 what Satan 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:59.319 wants Job to do. 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.619 Now regardless 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:04.599 of her intentions 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.740 she is acting 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.879 as a mouthpiece 00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:07.939 for Satan. 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:11.359 Job's wife 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:11.919 is tempting 00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:12.679 him to go 00:25:12.679 --> 00:25:13.480 against the God 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.159 he loves 00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:15.299 and the God 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.119 that loves him. 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:18.659 And this is 00:25:18.659 --> 00:25:19.459 especially hard 00:25:19.459 --> 00:25:20.119 because family 00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:20.519 are supposed 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.039 to stick 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.639 by you 00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:22.139 in your 00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:22.719 moments of 00:25:22.719 --> 00:25:23.099 suffering. 00:25:24.159 --> 00:25:25.099 I could not 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:25.839 go one day 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.379 without the 00:25:26.379 --> 00:25:26.939 support that 00:25:26.939 --> 00:25:27.539 Sabina and 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.119 my family 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:28.699 give me. 00:25:31.379 --> 00:25:32.139 Many of you 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:32.419 have been 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:32.919 that pillar 00:25:32.919 --> 00:25:34.119 of support 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:35.279 for others. 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.659 For a spouse 00:25:37.659 --> 00:25:39.759 for a parent 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:41.599 for a partner 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.559 for a friend 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:46.440 it is challenging 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.399 to see a loved 00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.019 one suffer 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:48.619 isn't it? 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:53.079 Because that 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:53.879 in and of 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:54.240 itself 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.919 is suffering. 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.919 Seeing a loved 00:25:56.919 --> 00:25:57.559 one suffer 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.799 but it's hard 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.299 because you're 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:00.019 supporting them 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.599 at the same 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:01.179 time. 00:26:03.419 --> 00:26:04.099 Job's wife 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:04.579 doesn't see 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:05.240 the whole picture 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.639 and friends 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.379 we often won't 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:06.879 see the big 00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:07.379 picture of 00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:07.799 what's going 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.099 on. 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:09.779 We probably 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.399 won't know 00:26:10.399 --> 00:26:11.000 the reasons 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.359 behind our 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:12.839 suffering 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:15.559 but remember 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:17.279 that Job 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:17.799 is here to 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.319 teach us 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:18.699 how to 00:26:18.699 --> 00:26:19.480 suffer well 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:19.939 for the 00:26:19.939 --> 00:26:20.519 glory of 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:20.819 God. 00:26:21.959 --> 00:26:22.699 In our 00:26:22.699 --> 00:26:23.339 suffering we 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:23.959 should not 00:26:23.959 --> 00:26:24.919 curse God 00:26:24.919 --> 00:26:25.859 but we should 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.539 make our 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.519 suffering push 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.139 us into 00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:28.899 his loving 00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:29.519 arms with 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:29.980 all of our 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.439 questions 00:26:30.439 --> 00:26:32.619 with all of 00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.159 our tears 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:34.199 and with that 00:26:34.199 --> 00:26:35.099 same resilience 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.799 and faith 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.279 that Job 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.299 has that 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:37.980 enables him 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:38.380 to say 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:38.860 even in 00:26:38.860 --> 00:26:39.420 the darkest 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:40.220 valley of 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.700 despair 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:42.200 that the 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:42.860 Lord gives 00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:43.960 and the 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.480 Lord takes 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:44.799 away. 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.180 Blessed be 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.559 the name 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.819 of the 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.079 Lord. 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.079 We're 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:52.700 supposed to 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.539 look at 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.079 Job's wife 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.519 and learn 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.160 not to do 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:55.519 what she 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:55.839 does. 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.259 If you're 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.920 a spouse 00:26:58.920 --> 00:27:00.319 a parent 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.039 or whatever 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:02.400 you also 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.120 have a role 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:05.519 of glorifying 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.440 God as 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:06.980 you see 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.700 someone else 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.140 suffering 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:08.660 and you 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.180 help them 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:09.660 in that. 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.420 It's hard 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:15.900 to see a 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.360 loved one 00:27:16.360 --> 00:27:16.819 suffer 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:17.940 but as 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.100 the 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:18.559 caregiver 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.539 and supporter 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.200 you must 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.940 maintain your 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.960 faith and 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:23.080 encourage them 00:27:23.080 --> 00:27:24.220 in their 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:24.900 suffering to 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.259 do the 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.580 same. 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.600 Whether we're 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:29.960 the one 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:30.880 suffering or 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:31.640 we're supporting 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:32.440 the sufferer 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.700 we all 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.200 have a role 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.940 to glorify 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:35.600 God in 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:35.880 it. 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.519 Cursing 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.039 God should 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.759 never be an 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.519 option for 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.000 us because 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.720 we don't 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.299 know what's 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:42.960 going on. 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:45.220 God never 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.940 gives up on 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:46.860 his people so 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.900 why should 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.620 we give up 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.100 on him? 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:51.279 God never 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:51.759 can't 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.819 so this is 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.219 the first 00:27:53.219 --> 00:27:53.899 response the 00:27:53.899 --> 00:27:54.839 bad response 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.179 of a 00:27:55.179 --> 00:27:55.519 suffering 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.119 spouse. 00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:58.579 And then in 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.099 verse 10 we 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.419 get our 00:27:59.419 --> 00:28:00.199 second response 00:28:00.199 --> 00:28:00.599 and it's a 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:01.039 good one. 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.500 It's the 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.359 response of a 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:02.839 faithful 00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:03.740 suffering 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.279 servant. 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.199 Read verse 00:28:05.199 --> 00:28:05.779 10 with me. 00:28:05.879 --> 00:28:06.399 This is Job 00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:07.099 responding to 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:07.759 his wife and 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.199 he says 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:08.900 you are 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:09.640 talking like 00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:10.080 a foolish 00:28:10.080 --> 00:28:10.460 woman. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.480 Shall we 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.279 accept good 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.360 from God 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:14.740 and not 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.120 trouble? 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:17.559 And in 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.140 all of this 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.640 Job did 00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:19.220 not sin 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:19.640 in what 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.100 he said. 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:22.660 Now Job 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.240 is not 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:23.900 calling his 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.759 wife stupid. 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.279 We need 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:25.840 to be clear 00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:26.240 on that. 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:27.819 And we 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.140 need to 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:28.700 remember that 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.279 this is part 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.799 of wisdom 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.400 literature. 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.180 And in 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.500 wisdom 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:33.000 literature the 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.759 wise person 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.220 is one who 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:34.799 is faithful 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.640 and lives 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:36.299 according to 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.920 God's word 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.319 and the 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.140 foolish person 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:39.320 who is the 00:28:39.320 --> 00:28:39.720 person who 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.140 is not 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:40.800 faithful to 00:28:40.800 --> 00:28:41.200 the Lord 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.020 and who 00:28:42.020 --> 00:28:42.759 lives in 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.320 religious 00:28:43.320 --> 00:28:44.200 ignorance. 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:45.880 An example 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.440 of this is 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:47.259 Psalm 14 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.860 verse 1 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:48.259 where it 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.640 says the 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:49.300 fool says 00:28:49.300 --> 00:28:49.580 in his 00:28:49.580 --> 00:28:50.620 heart there 00:28:50.620 --> 00:28:51.080 is no 00:28:51.080 --> 00:28:51.480 God. 00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:54.480 So Job 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.160 isn't talking 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.620 about his 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:56.080 wife's 00:28:56.080 --> 00:28:57.759 intellect but 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.560 about her 00:28:58.560 --> 00:28:59.460 encouragement for 00:28:59.460 --> 00:28:59.860 Job to 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.540 abandon his 00:29:00.540 --> 00:29:01.100 faith in 00:29:01.100 --> 00:29:01.400 God. 00:29:02.600 --> 00:29:03.440 And then we 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:03.920 get another 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.940 amazing statement 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:06.580 from a man 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:07.340 who is literally 00:29:07.340 --> 00:29:08.120 sitting in 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:10.859 ash in the 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.279 midst of 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:11.679 suffering. 00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.199 He says 00:29:12.199 --> 00:29:12.839 shall we 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:13.919 accept good 00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:15.079 from God 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.599 and not 00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:15.979 trouble? 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.379 Job's 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:21.399 heart and 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.259 mind are 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.959 fixed on 00:29:22.959 --> 00:29:23.279 God. 00:29:23.439 --> 00:29:23.659 Job 00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:24.759 recognizes that 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.179 all the 00:29:25.179 --> 00:29:25.699 good he has 00:29:25.699 --> 00:29:26.419 received in 00:29:26.419 --> 00:29:27.519 life is from 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.219 God and so 00:29:28.219 --> 00:29:29.059 he trusts 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:30.679 that this 00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:31.299 same God 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.619 who is 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.159 trustworthy 00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:33.699 and knows 00:29:33.699 --> 00:29:34.799 best even 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:36.019 when harmful 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.799 things come 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.339 his way. 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:41.480 Job knows 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:41.919 that God 00:29:41.919 --> 00:29:42.419 doesn't owe 00:29:42.419 --> 00:29:43.000 him anything. 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.879 God isn't 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.500 a blessing 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.539 dispenser who 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.180 messes up 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.700 when things 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.379 go wrong. 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:51.659 Job doesn't 00:29:51.659 --> 00:29:52.680 understand why 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.299 he is suffering 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:53.879 and he never 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:54.619 finds out the 00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:55.359 reason behind 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.740 it but he 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.639 finds comfort 00:29:57.639 --> 00:29:59.200 in the character 00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.899 of the Lord 00:29:59.899 --> 00:30:00.919 who is afflicting 00:30:00.919 --> 00:30:01.299 him. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:04.319 Now that 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:04.980 is not an 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.639 easy place 00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:06.159 to get to 00:30:06.159 --> 00:30:06.559 when you're 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:08.460 suffering but 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:08.940 it is a 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.460 place that 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:09.759 we should 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.299 all be 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:10.779 striving 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.619 towards. 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:14.519 Horatio 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.079 Spafford 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.440 was a 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:15.919 man who 00:30:15.919 --> 00:30:16.539 sent his 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.079 wife and 00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:17.659 four children 00:30:17.659 --> 00:30:18.079 on a 00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:18.619 boat from 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:19.139 the States 00:30:19.139 --> 00:30:19.599 to England 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:21.180 in 1873 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.779 and on 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.139 route the 00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:23.799 boat collided 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.779 with another 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.359 ship and 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:27.139 200 people 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:27.799 on board 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.559 drowned 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:30.299 including all 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:31.059 of Horatio's 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:31.419 children. 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:33.940 When his 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.579 wife got to 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.039 England she 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.460 sent a 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.139 telegram which 00:30:36.139 --> 00:30:37.059 read saved 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:38.480 alone. 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.599 And Horatio 00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:46.079 jumped on 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:46.359 the next 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:46.720 boat to 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:48.839 England and 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:49.519 it stopped 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:49.899 where the 00:30:49.899 --> 00:30:50.680 tragic accident 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.599 took place. 00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:58.799 And in 00:30:58.799 --> 00:30:59.399 that moment 00:30:59.400 --> 00:31:01.680 Spafford 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.200 penned 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:03.040 these 00:31:03.040 --> 00:31:03.480 wonderful 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:03.960 words. 00:31:09.600 --> 00:31:10.340 When 00:31:10.340 --> 00:31:10.880 peace 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.440 like a 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:11.720 river 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:15.560 attendeth 00:31:15.560 --> 00:31:16.100 my way 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:16.820 when 00:31:16.820 --> 00:31:17.480 sorrows 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:18.200 like sea 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.740 billows 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.120 roll 00:31:19.120 --> 00:31:20.820 whatever 00:31:20.820 --> 00:31:21.980 my lot 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:23.200 thou 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.460 hast 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.019 taught me 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.540 to say 00:31:24.540 --> 00:31:25.660 it is 00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:26.100 well 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:27.500 it is 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:27.919 well 00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:29.639 with my 00:31:29.639 --> 00:31:30.039 soul. 00:31:32.899 --> 00:31:33.779 Friends we 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.539 cannot only 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.079 accept 00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:36.519 good gifts 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.039 from God 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:37.559 and even 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:38.019 when 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.879 suffering 00:31:38.879 --> 00:31:39.639 does come 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:40.079 our way 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:40.839 we must 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:41.559 rely on 00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:41.879 God's 00:31:41.879 --> 00:31:42.139 good 00:31:42.139 --> 00:31:42.759 character 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:44.199 on God's 00:31:44.199 --> 00:31:44.919 faithfulness 00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:45.359 on his 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:45.799 holiness 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.719 and trust 00:31:46.719 --> 00:31:47.719 that he 00:31:47.719 --> 00:31:48.179 can use 00:31:48.179 --> 00:31:48.599 even the 00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:49.419 most horrific 00:31:49.419 --> 00:31:50.519 situations 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:52.019 for his 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:52.440 glory 00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:55.279 because his 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:55.700 glory 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:57.139 is far 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.339 more 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:57.759 important 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.139 than our 00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:58.639 comfort 00:31:58.639 --> 00:31:59.839 and than 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.000 our 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.440 health. 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.420 Charles Spurgeon 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:03.819 a London 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.559 minister from 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:05.039 years ago 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:05.680 who suffered 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.960 depression for 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.660 a long time 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:08.200 and who went 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.579 through a 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:09.440 tremendous amount 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.000 of suffering 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.599 in his life 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.279 puts it like 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.720 this 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.720 I have 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.360 learned to 00:32:13.360 --> 00:32:13.920 kiss the 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.440 waves 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.779 that throw 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.240 me up 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:16.660 against 00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.140 the rock 00:32:17.140 --> 00:32:17.720 of ages. 00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.600 Brothers and 00:32:21.600 --> 00:32:21.860 sisters 00:32:21.860 --> 00:32:22.400 when you 00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:22.740 suffer 00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:25.079 let it be 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.539 a wave 00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.279 that throws 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:26.880 you against 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:27.360 the Lord. 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.299 Let it 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:29.779 push you 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.200 to God 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.740 because there 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.120 is no 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:31.880 better place 00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:32.140 for you 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:32.759 to rest. 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.940 There is 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.319 no better 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:35.779 place for 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.000 you to 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.319 cry. 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:45.160 there is 00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:45.519 no better 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.240 place for 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.539 you to 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.500 suffer pain 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.539 than in 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:48.920 the hands 00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.200 of a 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.779 good God 00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:52.900 who can 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:53.559 work all 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.100 things for 00:32:54.100 --> 00:32:54.420 your good 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.160 even when 00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:55.500 it doesn't 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.019 feel like 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.240 it. 00:32:59.180 --> 00:32:59.920 So that's 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.480 the response 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:00.799 of a 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.259 faithful 00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:02.380 suffering 00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:02.839 servant 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:03.400 resilient 00:33:03.400 --> 00:33:04.059 faith 00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:05.519 even in 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:05.960 the face 00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:06.779 of devastating 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.380 suffering. 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.019 And the 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.920 final response 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:10.880 and the 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:11.420 second good 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:11.700 one is 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.480 comforting 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.720 silence. 00:33:14.299 --> 00:33:14.740 In verses 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.319 11 to 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:15.840 13. 00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:17.840 Job's 00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:18.460 three friends 00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:19.019 hear about 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.860 the devastation 00:33:19.860 --> 00:33:20.140 that has 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:20.700 come upon 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:21.059 him and 00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.420 in verse 00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:22.140 11 says 00:33:22.140 --> 00:33:22.519 they make 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.059 an appointment 00:33:23.059 --> 00:33:23.539 to go 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:24.080 together 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:26.640 to sympathize 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.100 with him 00:33:27.100 --> 00:33:28.000 and comfort 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.580 Job in 00:33:28.580 --> 00:33:29.080 his suffering. 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.640 Now at 00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.140 this point 00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:32.700 Job has 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:33.240 been sitting 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:33.580 on the 00:33:33.580 --> 00:33:34.160 ash pile 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:34.559 for a 00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:35.080 few months. 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:36.340 He says 00:33:36.340 --> 00:33:36.720 that in 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:37.220 Job chapter 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:38.019 7 verse 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:38.440 3. 00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:39.460 So Job 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:39.880 has been 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:40.620 isolated 00:33:40.619 --> 00:33:42.219 in agony 00:33:42.219 --> 00:33:43.019 sitting in 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.579 pain and 00:33:43.579 --> 00:33:44.219 suffering for 00:33:44.219 --> 00:33:44.979 months when 00:33:44.979 --> 00:33:45.359 they show 00:33:45.359 --> 00:33:45.659 up. 00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:48.759 And when 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.199 they arrive 00:33:49.199 --> 00:33:49.679 they see him 00:33:49.679 --> 00:33:49.979 from a 00:33:49.979 --> 00:33:50.639 distance and 00:33:50.639 --> 00:33:51.219 they can't 00:33:51.219 --> 00:33:51.919 recognize him. 00:33:55.079 --> 00:33:56.099 His appearance 00:33:56.099 --> 00:33:57.119 is so marred 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:58.019 by the tragedies 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.699 that he isn't 00:33:58.699 --> 00:33:59.459 recognizable. 00:34:00.239 --> 00:34:01.019 His suffering 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:01.479 has taken 00:34:01.479 --> 00:34:02.419 such a toll 00:34:02.419 --> 00:34:03.019 on him that 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:03.539 he is not 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:04.099 the same 00:34:04.099 --> 00:34:05.079 man they 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:05.779 once knew. 00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:08.639 his appearance 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.000 is so 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:09.539 changed that 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:09.820 when they 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.239 see him 00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:10.880 verse 12 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:11.579 says this 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.139 they began 00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:12.940 to weep 00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.920 aloud and 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.420 they tore 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:15.059 their robes 00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:15.699 and sprinkled 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.779 dust on 00:34:16.779 --> 00:34:17.380 their heads. 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:20.659 They're 00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:21.340 responding as 00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:21.739 if Job 00:34:21.739 --> 00:34:22.279 has died 00:34:22.279 --> 00:34:24.759 because of 00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:25.239 the suffering 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:25.759 he's in. 00:34:26.219 --> 00:34:26.900 They look 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:27.239 at their 00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:27.940 friends sitting 00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.599 in the ashes 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.420 and they 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:30.400 cannot help 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.460 but weep 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:32.159 with him 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:33.559 and mourn. 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:35.739 But do you 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:36.139 notice they 00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:36.639 don't do it 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:36.940 from a 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:37.480 distance? 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:39.360 Verse 13 00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:40.159 Then they 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:40.960 sat on the 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.579 ground with 00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:41.960 him for 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:42.719 seven days 00:34:42.719 --> 00:34:43.299 and seven 00:34:43.299 --> 00:34:43.619 nights. 00:34:43.759 --> 00:34:44.219 No one 00:34:44.219 --> 00:34:44.599 said a 00:34:44.599 --> 00:34:44.940 word to 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:46.239 him because 00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:46.920 they saw 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:47.960 how great 00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.539 his suffering 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:49.019 was. 00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:52.440 Today this 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:52.940 is what 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.400 Christian 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.019 community 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.880 should look 00:34:54.880 --> 00:34:55.299 like. 00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:57.440 Romans 15 00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.639 gives us 00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.199 the example 00:34:59.199 --> 00:34:59.920 of the church 00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:00.579 being a place 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:00.920 where you 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:01.739 rejoice with 00:35:01.739 --> 00:35:02.159 those who 00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:03.539 rejoice and 00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:04.880 will you 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.400 mourn with 00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:05.840 those who 00:35:05.840 --> 00:35:06.480 mourn? 00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:09.519 Like the 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:10.300 friends mourn 00:35:10.300 --> 00:35:10.639 when they 00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:11.279 see Job 00:35:11.279 --> 00:35:11.739 as a 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:13.019 church we 00:35:13.019 --> 00:35:13.719 share in 00:35:13.719 --> 00:35:14.279 each other's 00:35:14.279 --> 00:35:14.980 sufferings 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:17.539 because it 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.500 is hard to 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:19.239 see another 00:35:19.239 --> 00:35:20.019 member of 00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:20.539 our local 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:21.420 body in 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:21.920 pain. 00:35:24.279 --> 00:35:25.000 This is 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:25.360 what the 00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:25.980 local church 00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:26.340 should look 00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:26.599 like. 00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:26.940 Brothers 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:27.659 and sisters 00:35:27.659 --> 00:35:28.119 sitting 00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:28.619 alongside 00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:29.159 each other 00:35:29.159 --> 00:35:29.500 in the 00:35:29.500 --> 00:35:30.019 ashes and 00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:30.440 crying. 00:35:33.539 --> 00:35:34.000 When 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:34.300 someone 00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:34.659 goes 00:35:34.659 --> 00:35:34.840 through 00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:35.059 that 00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:35.320 amount 00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:35.500 of 00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:35.920 suffering 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:36.259 sure 00:35:36.259 --> 00:35:36.579 dropping 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:36.880 them a 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:37.139 text 00:35:37.139 --> 00:35:37.420 would be 00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:37.800 nice. 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:39.639 Giving 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:39.980 them a 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:40.279 call 00:35:40.279 --> 00:35:40.759 might be 00:35:40.759 --> 00:35:41.320 a little 00:35:41.320 --> 00:35:41.840 bit of 00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:42.279 help for 00:35:42.279 --> 00:35:42.719 a while. 00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:44.639 Dropping 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.199 around a 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:45.699 meal is 00:35:45.699 --> 00:35:46.179 good and 00:35:46.179 --> 00:35:46.719 a practical 00:35:46.719 --> 00:35:47.300 thing to 00:35:47.300 --> 00:35:47.679 do but 00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:48.179 what will 00:35:48.179 --> 00:35:48.860 really help 00:35:48.860 --> 00:35:49.360 someone in 00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:49.940 their suffering 00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:51.619 is having a 00:35:51.619 --> 00:35:52.320 church family 00:35:52.320 --> 00:35:53.000 and friends 00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:54.139 who will drop 00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:56.159 everything and 00:35:56.159 --> 00:35:56.860 run to the 00:35:56.860 --> 00:35:57.380 person in 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.559 need and 00:35:58.559 --> 00:35:59.300 sit with 00:35:59.300 --> 00:36:00.840 them out of 00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:01.360 a genuine 00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:02.539 love for 00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:04.579 them and 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:05.280 be silent. 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:08.760 Because a 00:36:08.760 --> 00:36:09.240 person who 00:36:09.240 --> 00:36:09.620 is suffering 00:36:09.620 --> 00:36:10.360 most they 00:36:10.360 --> 00:36:10.780 need the 00:36:10.780 --> 00:36:11.720 presence of 00:36:11.720 --> 00:36:12.160 faithful 00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:12.820 friends. 00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:15.920 Words 00:36:15.920 --> 00:36:16.579 won't help 00:36:16.579 --> 00:36:17.340 at first. 00:36:18.680 --> 00:36:19.120 Out of 00:36:19.120 --> 00:36:20.059 context Bible 00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:20.980 verses will 00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:22.400 not help but 00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:23.059 getting on your 00:36:23.059 --> 00:36:23.800 hands and knees 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:24.660 and sitting in 00:36:24.660 --> 00:36:25.320 the dirt and 00:36:25.320 --> 00:36:25.960 in the ashes 00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:27.019 with a brother 00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:27.820 or sister in 00:36:27.820 --> 00:36:28.260 Christ and 00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:29.039 weeping with 00:36:29.039 --> 00:36:29.300 them. 00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:31.380 That is 00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:31.980 true comfort 00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:32.380 that goes 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:33.240 beyond words. 00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:36.160 Being present 00:36:36.160 --> 00:36:36.860 with those who 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:37.860 suffer is far 00:36:37.860 --> 00:36:38.539 more precious 00:36:38.539 --> 00:36:39.860 than any 00:36:39.860 --> 00:36:40.620 worldly wisdom. 00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:42.660 Sitting silently 00:36:42.660 --> 00:36:43.300 with someone 00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:44.059 who suffers 00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:45.680 is a powerful 00:36:45.680 --> 00:36:46.880 witness of 00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.300 your love 00:36:47.300 --> 00:36:47.880 for them. 00:36:51.260 --> 00:36:51.820 Now Job's 00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:52.420 friends mess 00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:52.900 up as the 00:36:52.900 --> 00:36:53.559 book develops 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:54.100 but I think 00:36:54.100 --> 00:36:54.559 they get it 00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:55.579 100% right 00:36:55.579 --> 00:36:55.820 here. 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:56.320 They sit 00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:56.880 with Job. 00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:57.240 They don't 00:36:57.240 --> 00:36:57.760 pretend to 00:36:57.760 --> 00:36:58.100 know what's 00:36:58.100 --> 00:36:58.440 happening. 00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:00.280 They don't 00:37:00.280 --> 00:37:00.680 try to 00:37:00.680 --> 00:37:01.480 justify the 00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:02.140 suffering but 00:37:02.140 --> 00:37:02.480 they are 00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:03.080 just silent. 00:37:05.640 --> 00:37:06.320 Friends this 00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:06.720 is what it 00:37:06.720 --> 00:37:07.280 looks like to 00:37:07.280 --> 00:37:08.100 have perspective 00:37:08.100 --> 00:37:08.800 in suffering. 00:37:10.060 --> 00:37:10.700 To know 00:37:10.700 --> 00:37:11.260 that even in 00:37:11.260 --> 00:37:11.940 the midst of 00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:12.640 our darkest 00:37:12.640 --> 00:37:13.740 valleys the 00:37:13.740 --> 00:37:14.280 Lord is 00:37:14.280 --> 00:37:15.440 good and 00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:16.100 trustworthy. 00:37:18.440 --> 00:37:19.260 Job was a 00:37:19.260 --> 00:37:19.900 righteous man 00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.480 who suffered 00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:21.160 not for any 00:37:21.160 --> 00:37:21.740 sin that he 00:37:21.740 --> 00:37:22.180 had committed 00:37:22.180 --> 00:37:24.900 but he is a 00:37:24.900 --> 00:37:26.620 foreshadow of 00:37:26.620 --> 00:37:27.660 the righteous 00:37:27.660 --> 00:37:28.900 man who 00:37:28.900 --> 00:37:29.640 suffered not 00:37:29.639 --> 00:37:30.039 for any 00:37:30.039 --> 00:37:30.719 sin that he 00:37:30.719 --> 00:37:32.759 committed but 00:37:32.759 --> 00:37:33.559 Jesus Christ 00:37:33.559 --> 00:37:34.119 who suffered 00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:34.719 for your 00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:36.199 sin and 00:37:36.199 --> 00:37:36.779 for mine. 00:37:39.779 --> 00:37:40.379 Job's 00:37:40.379 --> 00:37:41.119 appearance was 00:37:41.119 --> 00:37:41.980 so marred by 00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:42.719 the pain and 00:37:42.719 --> 00:37:43.440 agony that he 00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:44.099 went through in 00:37:44.099 --> 00:37:45.480 absolute isolation. 00:37:48.059 --> 00:37:49.440 Jesus was 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:51.359 beaten, 00:37:52.819 --> 00:37:53.379 mocked, 00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:54.920 whipped, 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:56.759 his flesh was 00:37:56.759 --> 00:37:57.500 torn, a crown 00:37:57.500 --> 00:37:58.159 of thorns was 00:37:58.159 --> 00:37:59.380 pushed on his 00:37:59.380 --> 00:38:00.659 head and Isaiah 00:38:00.659 --> 00:38:01.559 says that his 00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:02.519 appearance was so 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:03.440 disfigured beyond 00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:04.179 that of any 00:38:04.179 --> 00:38:04.920 human being 00:38:04.920 --> 00:38:07.619 and his form 00:38:07.619 --> 00:38:08.360 marred beyond 00:38:08.360 --> 00:38:09.280 any human 00:38:09.280 --> 00:38:11.119 likeness and 00:38:11.119 --> 00:38:11.679 he was nailed 00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:12.639 to a cruel 00:38:12.639 --> 00:38:14.239 cross where 00:38:14.239 --> 00:38:14.760 he would die 00:38:14.760 --> 00:38:16.659 alone as his 00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:17.980 followers ran 00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:18.900 away in fear. 00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:20.639 Friends it is 00:38:20.639 --> 00:38:21.300 that man, 00:38:21.980 --> 00:38:22.940 the truly 00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:24.159 righteous one, 00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:25.779 the perfect 00:38:25.779 --> 00:38:27.519 suffering servant 00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:28.339 who went 00:38:28.339 --> 00:38:29.079 through agony 00:38:29.079 --> 00:38:30.059 and isolation 00:38:30.059 --> 00:38:30.960 so that his 00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:31.679 people, so 00:38:31.679 --> 00:38:32.139 that the 00:38:32.139 --> 00:38:33.379 Lord's people 00:38:33.379 --> 00:38:34.279 could be saved 00:38:34.279 --> 00:38:34.759 from the 00:38:34.759 --> 00:38:35.259 ultimate 00:38:35.259 --> 00:38:36.239 eternal 00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:36.859 suffering 00:38:36.859 --> 00:38:39.079 of eternal 00:38:39.079 --> 00:38:39.899 life in hell 00:38:39.899 --> 00:38:40.460 under the 00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:40.980 judgment in 00:38:40.980 --> 00:38:41.719 God because 00:38:41.719 --> 00:38:42.739 they have 00:38:42.739 --> 00:38:43.440 cursed God 00:38:43.440 --> 00:38:43.980 in their 00:38:43.980 --> 00:38:44.420 hearts. 00:38:48.119 --> 00:38:48.480 Job's 00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:48.799 suffering 00:38:48.799 --> 00:38:49.460 teaches us 00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:49.859 how to 00:38:49.859 --> 00:38:50.500 suffer well 00:38:50.500 --> 00:38:50.859 for the 00:38:50.859 --> 00:38:51.359 glory of 00:38:51.359 --> 00:38:51.699 God. 00:38:51.699 --> 00:38:53.799 Jesus' 00:38:54.079 --> 00:38:54.659 suffering is 00:38:54.659 --> 00:38:55.119 the moment 00:38:55.119 --> 00:38:55.579 that God 00:38:55.579 --> 00:38:56.519 himself took 00:38:56.519 --> 00:38:57.039 on immense 00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:58.359 suffering in 00:38:58.359 --> 00:38:59.019 our place 00:38:59.019 --> 00:39:00.419 and it is 00:39:00.419 --> 00:39:01.799 Jesus, the 00:39:01.799 --> 00:39:02.859 perfect suffering 00:39:02.859 --> 00:39:03.419 servant who 00:39:03.419 --> 00:39:04.399 draws near in 00:39:04.399 --> 00:39:05.839 those times of 00:39:05.839 --> 00:39:06.759 personal suffering 00:39:06.759 --> 00:39:09.879 and he says 00:39:09.879 --> 00:39:10.379 I know 00:39:10.379 --> 00:39:15.659 I'm here. 00:39:18.859 --> 00:39:19.739 Finish the 00:39:19.739 --> 00:39:20.519 race well and 00:39:20.519 --> 00:39:21.219 live for those 00:39:21.219 --> 00:39:22.619 words that 00:39:22.619 --> 00:39:23.079 will give you 00:39:23.079 --> 00:39:23.559 life. 00:39:23.779 --> 00:39:24.579 Well done 00:39:24.579 --> 00:39:26.500 good and 00:39:26.500 --> 00:39:28.099 faithful servant. 00:39:30.679 --> 00:39:31.419 That's the 00:39:31.419 --> 00:39:32.059 perspective we 00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:32.539 need in our 00:39:32.539 --> 00:39:32.939 suffering. 00:39:35.279 --> 00:39:36.559 Joni Erickson 00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:37.519 has been 00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:38.159 bound to a 00:39:38.159 --> 00:39:38.759 wheelchair for 00:39:38.759 --> 00:39:39.359 over 50 00:39:39.359 --> 00:39:39.779 years. 00:39:40.859 --> 00:39:41.579 She travels 00:39:41.579 --> 00:39:42.679 the world 00:39:42.679 --> 00:39:43.619 encouraging people 00:39:43.619 --> 00:39:44.179 in the midst 00:39:44.179 --> 00:39:44.500 of their 00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:45.139 suffering not 00:39:45.139 --> 00:39:46.179 by giving 00:39:46.179 --> 00:39:46.799 them half 00:39:46.799 --> 00:39:47.819 baked truths 00:39:47.819 --> 00:39:49.519 or theological 00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:50.519 sound bites 00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:51.539 but she 00:39:51.539 --> 00:39:52.059 sits with 00:39:52.059 --> 00:39:52.280 them. 00:39:53.559 --> 00:39:54.440 She listens 00:39:54.440 --> 00:39:55.019 and she 00:39:55.019 --> 00:39:56.300 tells people 00:39:56.300 --> 00:39:56.739 of the 00:39:56.739 --> 00:39:57.679 great God 00:39:57.679 --> 00:39:58.780 who even 00:39:58.780 --> 00:39:59.440 in the midst 00:39:59.440 --> 00:40:00.780 of turmoil 00:40:00.780 --> 00:40:02.380 can bring 00:40:02.380 --> 00:40:03.639 hope beyond 00:40:03.639 --> 00:40:04.199 words. 00:40:06.980 --> 00:40:07.440 Joni has 00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:07.980 learned that 00:40:07.980 --> 00:40:08.719 sometimes God 00:40:08.719 --> 00:40:09.460 allows what he 00:40:09.460 --> 00:40:09.880 hates to 00:40:09.880 --> 00:40:11.340 happen to 00:40:11.340 --> 00:40:12.039 bring forth 00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:12.619 in us 00:40:12.619 --> 00:40:14.559 Christ the 00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:15.139 hope of 00:40:15.139 --> 00:40:15.579 glory. 00:40:15.579 --> 00:40:19.039 Job got 00:40:19.039 --> 00:40:19.519 through his 00:40:19.519 --> 00:40:19.920 suffering 00:40:19.920 --> 00:40:21.239 because he 00:40:21.239 --> 00:40:22.000 knew who 00:40:22.000 --> 00:40:22.739 God was 00:40:22.739 --> 00:40:24.019 and friends 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:24.599 that's how you 00:40:24.599 --> 00:40:24.940 get through 00:40:24.940 --> 00:40:25.639 suffering today. 00:40:25.779 --> 00:40:26.159 That's the 00:40:26.159 --> 00:40:26.880 perspective you 00:40:26.880 --> 00:40:28.299 need to see 00:40:28.299 --> 00:40:28.880 our suffering 00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:29.420 in light of 00:40:29.420 --> 00:40:30.960 eternity and 00:40:30.960 --> 00:40:31.400 in light of 00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:32.019 the good God 00:40:32.019 --> 00:40:32.380 that we 00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:33.519 serve who 00:40:33.519 --> 00:40:33.980 sent his 00:40:33.980 --> 00:40:35.000 son so 00:40:35.000 --> 00:40:35.319 that we 00:40:35.319 --> 00:40:35.679 could be 00:40:35.679 --> 00:40:36.199 spared the 00:40:36.199 --> 00:40:36.559 ultimate 00:40:36.559 --> 00:40:37.960 suffering of 00:40:37.960 --> 00:40:38.500 separation 00:40:38.500 --> 00:40:39.460 from God. 00:40:41.259 --> 00:40:41.940 Let's pray 00:40:41.940 --> 00:40:42.279 together. 00:40:42.279 --> 00:40:42.380 Amen. 00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:42.440 Amen. 00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:42.480 Amen. 00:40:45.579 --> 00:40:46.380 Father I 00:40:46.380 --> 00:40:46.840 don't know 00:40:46.840 --> 00:40:48.599 everyone in 00:40:48.599 --> 00:40:49.079 this room 00:40:49.079 --> 00:40:49.759 or everyone 00:40:49.759 --> 00:40:50.480 watching this 00:40:50.480 --> 00:40:50.860 and what is 00:40:50.860 --> 00:40:51.460 going on in 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:51.900 their lives. 00:40:51.980 --> 00:40:52.400 I don't know 00:40:52.400 --> 00:40:53.059 the suffering 00:40:53.059 --> 00:40:54.440 they are going 00:40:54.440 --> 00:40:55.539 through but 00:40:55.539 --> 00:40:56.099 you do. 00:40:58.860 --> 00:40:59.699 Father would 00:40:59.699 --> 00:41:00.059 you give 00:41:00.059 --> 00:41:00.440 them the 00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:00.960 perspective 00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:01.420 that they 00:41:01.420 --> 00:41:03.779 need to 00:41:03.779 --> 00:41:04.279 not turn 00:41:04.279 --> 00:41:04.759 their back 00:41:04.759 --> 00:41:05.299 on you 00:41:05.299 --> 00:41:07.340 but would 00:41:07.340 --> 00:41:07.840 you help 00:41:07.840 --> 00:41:08.420 them run 00:41:08.420 --> 00:41:09.119 to you in 00:41:09.119 --> 00:41:09.659 their pain 00:41:09.659 --> 00:41:11.380 and cling 00:41:11.380 --> 00:41:12.340 to you for 00:41:12.340 --> 00:41:12.799 their dear 00:41:12.799 --> 00:41:13.319 lives. 00:41:15.579 --> 00:41:17.639 Father would 00:41:17.639 --> 00:41:18.019 you help 00:41:18.019 --> 00:41:18.519 us all 00:41:18.519 --> 00:41:18.960 as we 00:41:18.960 --> 00:41:19.639 help those 00:41:19.639 --> 00:41:20.199 who suffer 00:41:20.199 --> 00:41:22.099 not be 00:41:22.099 --> 00:41:22.599 the voice 00:41:22.599 --> 00:41:23.340 of temptation 00:41:23.340 --> 00:41:23.900 that says 00:41:23.900 --> 00:41:24.659 curse God 00:41:24.659 --> 00:41:25.139 but be the 00:41:25.139 --> 00:41:25.679 voice of 00:41:25.679 --> 00:41:26.239 encouragement 00:41:26.239 --> 00:41:27.480 that points 00:41:27.480 --> 00:41:28.119 people to 00:41:28.119 --> 00:41:28.659 Christ 00:41:28.659 --> 00:41:30.259 to the 00:41:30.259 --> 00:41:30.659 hope of 00:41:30.659 --> 00:41:31.179 eternity 00:41:31.179 --> 00:41:32.500 with you 00:41:32.500 --> 00:41:35.179 and to 00:41:35.179 --> 00:41:35.940 the wonderful 00:41:35.940 --> 00:41:37.019 promise of 00:41:37.019 --> 00:41:37.420 the Lord's 00:41:37.420 --> 00:41:38.259 presence in 00:41:38.259 --> 00:41:38.779 our everyday. 00:41:41.259 --> 00:41:42.259 Help us 00:41:42.259 --> 00:41:44.019 suffer well 00:41:44.019 --> 00:41:45.219 for your 00:41:45.219 --> 00:41:45.619 glory. 00:41:46.800 --> 00:41:47.320 In Jesus 00:41:47.320 --> 00:41:47.820 name we 00:41:47.820 --> 00:41:48.099 pray. 00:41:48.099 --> 00:41:49.599 Amen.