The story of why ∙

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:32

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. – Job 12:13

James 1:2-5

 2 When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking

How many times have we experienced hardship, difficulty, tragedy, or unmet expectations and then asked WHY?

Most of the time, the Scriptures do not directly address the question of why. There is the tacit implication that it is the wrong question to ask. Instead, the Scriptures tell us how to manage our hardships and get through our afflictions with the proper response to our Father in heaven.

However, there is one outstanding example where the Father answers the question of why. It provides needed insight and comfort for us in difficult times.

There is an entire book of the Bible that was written to address the question of why. It investigates why people suffer, how they learn from suffering, and what is happening behind it. You have probably guessed what book of the Bible it is, the book of Job.

The book of Job is the story of Job’s suffering. His suffering and loss were horrendous and almost unimaginable. In the material world, he lost virtually everything he had that was of value to him. He lost his children, his possessions, his property, and his means of livelihood. He was left with only four things: a few “helpful” friends, a distraught, nagging wife who was grieving the same losses he had experienced, his health, and most importantly, his faith.

If you have your health, you have everything, right? Well, Job soon lost his health too. Next his “helpful friends” and their suggestions proved to be useless, confusing, and without merit. Materially, all he had left was his distraught, grieving, nagging wife.

His faith was systematically tested. He was almost crushed. However, Job’s initial response was truly incredible. He demonstrated that he was a man of faith.

Job 12:9-22

 9 That the hand of the LORD has done this,

 10 In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?

 13 With Him are wisdom and might; to Him belong counsel and understanding.

 22 He reveals mysteries from the darkness and brings the deep darkness into light.

Job 13:15 “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless, I will argue my ways before Him.”

If we were there, I am convinced we would hear him weeping, if not wailing. He was mourning and consumed with grief.

He is trapped in the twilight zone between trust and fear. His thoughts reverberated again and again, why. WHY, WHY, WHY?

If we began reading his story in Job 1:13, where his history of suffering begins, we would have no idea what was really going on. Because the book of Job was written after the events had taken place, Job had never read Job 1:1-12. So he had no clue as to what was going on. He had no idea what the cause of his trials was. He had done nothing wrong. Yet tragedy after tragedy befell him.

But there is a back story. The untold story explains that his tests came about because he was good and righteous and had confidence and trust in the Father above all else. Does that make any sense at all? It does in the Father’s kingdom.

REFLECT & PRAY

So often, we ask why. It is a perspective transformation when we realize that even if we knew why it would change nothing. We would still have to trust the Father no matter what. We would have to take it by faith that He has our best interests at heart.

Father this is a difficult lesson to learn. Sadly, we must learn it over and over again. Please help me to grow up and be like Job. May I believe as Job believed. May I echo his sentiments, though You may slay me, yet I will trust You.

INSIGHT

Here’s the rest of the story:

Job 1:6-12

 6 One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.

 7 “Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan. Satan answered the LORD, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

 8 Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

 9 Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.

 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!

 11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

 12 “All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence.

Job was guilty of nothing but righteousness. He was pushed to the limit of human endurance and nearly collapsed. Knowing this, do you feel any better?

The Father personally intervened and spoke to him one-on-one. Rather than answering his questions, the Father asked His own (Job 38-41).

With greater understanding than ever, Job fully recognized that the Father was a creative genius and designed and made all that is. The Father knows what He is doing, why He is doing it, and His ultimate purpose.

Why do we suffer? Suffering is part of the Father’s plan for our lives! Our best response to suffering is not to ask, “Why.” Instead, we should ask, “What would you have me learn from these experiences, and how can I draw closer to You, Father.”

Especially when we find ourselves in painful and distressing circumstances, we must turn to the Father for His wisdom, strength, guidance, and knowledge. Where else can we go to find the help we need?

Either God is worth trusting completely, or He’s not worth trusting at all (Stanley).

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

Job finally ends his journey, where he began with total faith and confidence – knowing why changed nothing. It was incumbent upon him to repent and humble himself before the Father whom Job worshiped and served.

Job 42:5-6

 5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.

 6 Therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.”

Rather than living Job’s life and struggles after him, learn from him. Begin now and take baby steps in developing great faith and confidence in the Father.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 12-26-2 © Dr. H 2