You know it’s so important to remember that Job really was a good man. And, yes, like so many of us, Job knew about suffering first hand. Dr. Richard Selzer is a surgeon. And he has written a book for young doctors in which he addresses our experience of suffering. He says that all of us seem to be protected for a time by some kind of imaginary membrane that shields us from horror. It’s much like our immune system which protects us from unseen but very harmful bacteria. So we are shielded from horror for awhile. But as the years roll on for most of us, this membrane of protection tears away and horror of one kind or another sweeps in. Dreams are dashed. Pain becomes intense. And that’s when this crisis develops. Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff , a father and a philosophy professor, experienced the awful horror of learning that his 25 year old son, Eric, was tragically killed in a mountain—climbing accident. In his small book, Lament for a Son, he passionately writes some of his reflections on getting that awful news. "Suffering," he writes, " is the shout of NO by ones whole existence to that over which one suffers — the shout of NO by nerves and gut and gland and heart to pain, to death, to injustice, to depression, to hunger, to humiliation, to bondage, to abandonment." (Lament for a Son, p.96) But perhaps, before we go further, we should acknowledge that there are different kinds of suffering.
- There is, of course, physical suffering. Perhaps you think first of that one — when things happen in your physical body that make your whole nervous system cry out; when some disease reduces you to just about zero — an infection, a diseased organ, a greedy tumor, or an accident.
- And there is emotional suffering. Perhaps anxiety, or anger, or panic, or depression, or some other disorder brings out internal cries of pain, the kind you feel when you learn your son has been killed in a mountain—climbing accident.
- Or it may be social suffering. So many in our world are locked in poverty, oppression, injustice, and prejudice, not because of anything they have done, but because social structures, and evil people, are holding them hostage.
- But there is also what we may call relational suffering. Have you ever been hurt by having someone you trust turn against you? Some folks talk about a relationship that is living torment. Others live with the constant pain of knowing that someone who they once loved has turned on them or abandoned them. Maybe you know of folks who live very near each other, but refuse to even speak.
- We may also talk about religious suffering. The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy about those who are living a godly life in Christ Jesus and are persecuted for it. The Apostle Peter writes about those who suffer for doing what is right. Many today are being persecuted for their faith.
- And, finally, I think we should include environmental suffering on our list. Have you see the fish float belly—up in a stream polluted with mercury? Or towns devastated by a wild tornado? Or homes washed away by a raging flood? Or perhaps in flying into some of our cities you notice the canopy of brown haze that covers the city where once the air was crystal clear.
Yes, suffering takes many different forms. And all of these wring out of our hearts the big "NO! It should not be this way!" And then we ask, "So how can we ever reconcile all these different kinds of suffering with what we know of a good and loving God?" There is the heart of our struggle! Well, let’s go back to the book of Job in the Bible from which we read a little while ago. It’s really a very old book, perhaps from as early as the days of Abraham. It will help us with our question, not only by making us aware that sufferings are just about as old as world history, but also because it will welcome us into the struggle of Job and others as they try to resolve this dilemma of it all, of wondering how we can ever square it with the goodness of God. I told you that within a very short period of time Job lost his flocks, his herds, his sons, daughters, health, and even his wife’s support. But when we read the opening words of the book, what do we hear about first? We hear about genuineness of his good character! So that should eliminate the possibility that Job is suffering so much because he’s such an evil person. His friends, of course, try to press that accusation against him. You are suffering because of your sin, they will say. A lot of folks slip into that fear today too. Maybe you also are tempted, to fear that things are going hard for you because God is punishing you for your sin. So the big question behind this book is the one we began with today. Why do people as good as Job suffer? That’s the big question! Why do people as good as Job suffer? The book of Job is a rather long book in the Bible — 42 chapters. It’s a dramatic narrative account of how Job and his friends wrestle together with this big question of the faith. It’s rather dangerous to take just one section of the book in isolation from the big picture. So let me explain to you that there are three very intense conversations that take place in this book. The first one is between God and Satan; the second between Job and his friends; and the third one is between Job and God. The first conversation, the one between God and Satan, is found in chapters 1 and 2. It’s really a conversation that takes place behind the scenes. The only way we know about it is that God has chosen to reveal it. Both God and Satan are observing Job, this "blameless and upright man, who shunned evil," as they describe him. It goes like this:
- God says to Satan, "have you seen Job; there is no one like him; blameless, upright, he shuns evil all the time."
- Satan responds, "Sure, but why wouldn’t he serve you? You have blessed him, protected him, prospered him. But if you take some of that away, my guess is that he will curse you to your face."
- God to Satan — "I will allow you to try that. You may test him. Just don’t touch him personally, or his health. And you will see how faithful he is."
So the first series of calamities take place. Job loses his servants, flocks, herds and children. And Job remained faithful to God. Then the conversation between God and Satan continues.
- God to Satan: well, I see you’ve made it hard for Job. And have you seen how faithful he still is to me?
- Satan to God: Sure, but you wouldn’t let me touch his health. If I can do that, if he loses his health, he will turn on you in an instant!
- God: OK, you may try that too and you will see again how firm his faith is.
And again it says, "In all this Job did not sin"; he did not turn from God. So that’s the first conversation. Job’s faith and faithfulness dealt a stunning blow to the hopes of Satan. And then follows the second conversation — a long one. As a matter of fact, it’s all the way from chapter 3 through chapter 37 of this book. This conversation, perhaps we should call it a debate, is between Job and several of his friends. In several cycles of speeches they argue their points, and Job replies. Job cries out in his pain and frustration; he pleads for some support and understanding. But in long philosophical lectures his friends try to convince him that since God is just, and since Job is suffering, there must be some connection between his suffering and some sin in his life. He would be well advised, they claim, to admit his sinfulness, repent and ask for God’s pardon before he can expect the suffering to end. The problem, they claim, is Job. And Job argues back, maintaining his innocence, pleading for vindication from God. In the end, there is no resolution in this debate. Job calls them "miserable comforters". Job, and his friends for that matter, who were so convinced they should be able to understand God in all his ways, were so convinced they could call God to account, and were convinced God should only do things in ways that they could understand, had to learn that God is sovereign, just, and holy. He does things his way, and all his ways are right, though not always so understandable. I wonder if you, like a lot of folks, sometimes get stuck in this viewpoint that thinks God ought to only do things that we are able to understand. Yes, I’ve been there too. But Job’s story tells us that just isn’t possible. And then follows the third and final conversation of the book. This one is between God and Job. Well, it isn’t really a conversation. Instead of a dialog, God is speaking and Job is listening, at least for the most part. It’s a very dramatic confrontation of Job by God. God steps forward and overwhelms Job with a sense of his sovereignty. Listen to these words as God begins,
Who is this that darkens my counsel With words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, And you will answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. (38:2—4)
And so God goes on and on,
Have you ever given orders to the morning, Or shown the dawn its place, That it might take the earth by the edges And shake the wicked out of it? (38:12, 13) Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this. Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God‘s dominion over the earth? (38:33)
And what happens? Where does this come out? It comes out at the point of Job’s utter humility as he stands before the sovereignty of God. Listen to Job, "I am unworthy — how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer — twice, but I will say no more." (40:4, 5) God has given him a picture of a big huge world all under God’s control. It’s not that Job may not cry out, but he may not demand that God do things only in his way. Job does not find a human answer. He simply cannot fit the whole thing into his mind. And so his experience teaches us that it is not so much for us to understand; it is for us to trust! …to trust We do not force God to fit our experiences, or what we think he ought to be like; it is for us to fit our experiences into his promises. So Job has learned a deep life—long lesson. God is lovingly and trustingly sovereign. It is for us to trust him, to put our hand over our mouth and be silent rather than shout out our objections to him, to trust that we are safe in him and may rest in him. So what does all of that mean for how we handle this tough question about the suffering of good people? It teaches us that there may not be many satisfying human answers to all of it, but there are some very important things here that we can learn from the experiences of Job. It is obvious that this book makes it clear, as life itself does, that we can expect suffering and ought not to be surprised by it. Yes, it does, and it will, happen, and to good people, too. It’s that kind of a world — no longer the perfect world that God had in mind. There are forces unleashed here in this world that bring suffering to all. Even the goodness of our character or the strength of our faith will not make us immune to it. And we may be honest about that. We don’t have to hide it, deny it, or paint it over. Job is very candid and honest in his cries. It’s OK to struggle without answers, to cry out when we don’t understand. Just listen to him:
"I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul." (10:1) "Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?" (3:11) "If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! I would surely have outweighed the sands of the seas…." (6:2, 3) "I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me." (30:20)
And many of the Psalmists utter similar earthy cries from their pain and suffering. Listen:
"Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" (Psalm 10:1) "How long, O Lord, will you forget me forever?" (Psalm 13:1) "O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you…my soul is full of trouble…." (Psalm 88:1, 3)
With such honest and candid cries from the pages of Scripture we are indeed given freedom to be that open and honest with God. He can handle our cries of pain. At the same time, I think we ought to use some of our pain to combat the causes of suffering in our world. Every suffering we experience is a reminder that this world is not the kind of world it should be. And we ought not to resign ourselves to it, but turn our pain into positive energy to combat the causes of suffering — the poverty, the abuse, the injustice, the diseases, and the like. Many who had seen the pain of oppressed slaves fought for the abolition of slavery and prejudice. Many who sense the violence done to infants in abortion have become the defenders of life. Those who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers have used their pain to lead the fight against drunk driving. Those who have seen loved ones suffer from major diseases often lead the fight against those very diseases. Pain can become a powerful force that motivates us for good. But in the final analysis, it all comes down to this. When we suffer, particularly when we suffer without answers or explanations, we are called to trust God. Yes, we are called to trust God. I know, sometimes that’s very hard. Sometimes it seems impossible. I know. A good many years ago, when I was a young father, I was stricken with cancer. It involved surgery and treatment. But it also involved a lot of anxiety and fright…and huge questions. Then twelve years later I was stricken again. More surgery, more treatments, more questions! And six years later, for a third time, it was cancer! And the whole cycle repeated itself both in my body and my soul. Now it’s a good many years later and I am grateful for the good cancer—free health that I have. But I still don’t have answers to the questions I raised at the time. I don’t know why. I can’t figure it all out. I have no idea why it should be me, and why three times. Oh, I can see so very many good things God has brought from that. I love life more than ever; and I love health more than ever; and I give thanks to God for every day. But do I have all my questions answered? No, I don’t. Do I trust God? I most certainly do. I don’t need answers to my questions before I can trust him. I trust him because of who he is. He is holy, and true and loving and fair and merciful. He has said all of that in his word. He has illustrated that in my life and the lives of those near me over and over. He has given me so many promises that I hold on to. And he has even given his son for salvation. And so, even when I cannot find answers to my questions and cannot resolve my mysteries, I live with the mysteries and go on trusting God. You see, when I read the Bible and learn about God, then he gives me this big huge picture of the universe and of himself. At times like that my mind and heart go back to a classic Christian Hymn, "Immortal, Invisible, God only wise…the Ancient of days…your great name we praise." And when I see that big picture, then I don’t have to force things to fit my own experiences, but I interpret my experiences in terms of this big God who rules this big world and does so in holiness and truth. So in my trusting God I do two things. First, I understand that God feels my pain. He knows when I hurt, when I am frightened, when life seems scary, when good people suffer. He knows and feels all of that. When I had cancer, I knew that God was on my side of the line, and had never become my adversary. He promises his care in the Bible and he proved it by sending his son to be our Savior on the cross at Calvary. And second, I let God do his work of running the world the way he wants to. After all he has a holy and perfect mind; so who am I to think he has to do things only in a way that I can fit into my little finite mind? It is not for me to second—guess him. Yes, I can live with mystery. When things happen that I can’t figure out, I can rest in the fact that God can figure it all out and has it all under control…and loves me deeply. That’s really where Job came out in this struggle. In the third conversation in this book, the one between God and Job, Job finally responds with trust. He very humbly says, I put my hand over my mouth; I don’t talk back; I let God be God…and I trust him. Oh, I know that’s hard sometimes. But Christians down through the ages have trusted him in that way and have found great strength. For instance, during the sixteenth century, Christians in Europe were subjected to terrible persecution. They were oppressed cruelly. In order to prove to their oppressors that they were not rebels but law—abiding citizens they wrote a document confessing their faith. They even said they would "offer their backs to stripes, their tongues to knives, their mouths to gags, and their whole bodies to the fire", rather than deny the truth of their faith. As a matter of fact, the pastor who wrote the words of their confession died as a martyr a few years later. Guide De Bres was his name. The confession is called the Belgic Confession of Faith. Listen to what they said…
"We believe that this good God, after he had created all things, Did not abandon them to chance or fortune But leads and governs them according to his holy will, In such a way that nothing happens in this world Without his orderly arrangement. This doctrine gives us unspeakable comfort Since it teaches us That nothing can happen to us by chance But only by the arrangement of our gracious heavenly Father." (From art.13)
I find that trust like that gives hope. I can hope because this God is good and loving and wise and faithful. And I can hope because this good God sent his son Jesus Christ to be the Savior, to bring salvation from sin and the promise of eternal life. This good God holds me in his hand and will do so forever. There is a lot in life I don’t like; and there is a lot I don’t understand; and there are a lot of questions to which I can’t find answers…but I can know that God loves me, has his arm around me, and will always be faithful to me. I can know that because his son Jesus Christ has fully paid for all my sins and made me a child of God. Because of this, you and I are not stuck in our suffering forever. It’s all only temporary. I know it still hurts a lot. But I assure you that our saving God has a new perfect day in a new perfect world waiting for us. You can trust him!
Prayer
Dear Father, some of us are having a hard time of it today. We experience the pain of suffering in our body, our spirits, and our minds. We watch our loved ones suffer. We see your creation suffer. We hear about fellow Christians who are oppressed. O God, so many in our world hurt so much. And we search for answers. We wonder why you don’t stop it all. We cry out in our pain. But we learn that often there are no answers for us. You are God and you see so much more than our minds can begin to fathom. But we trust you, God. We know you are our Father because of Jesus Christ your Son. We know that your promises never change. We know that you deliver. And we hear of the new perfect world that you have in store for us. O Lord, we do believe. Help our unbelief. Give grace and the gift of faith to those of us who are finding it hard to believe… hard to trust you. Hold us firmly in your grip, even when we have lost our grip on you. All for the sake of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Howard Vanderwell
Howard Vanderwell was ordained in the Christian Reformed Church in 1962. He received his M.Div. and Th.M. degree from Calvin Theological Seminary and his D.Min. at Westminster Theological Seminary in California. He has served as pastor to four congregations over 40 years in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan. After leaving the pastorate in 2002 he began a new ministry at Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary. He is currently a staff member at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI and Adjunct Professor of Worship at Calvin Theological Seminary. He consults with local congregations, provides worship materials, leads conferences and workshops, and teaches courses on worship at Calvin Seminary. Howard’‘s interests include planning, leading and evaluating worship, preaching, and worship renewal throughout the evangelical church. “My life-long prayer, from my days as a child, was that I might be honored to serve as a Christian Reformed pastor preaching the Word of God to encourage and challenge his people. I consider the forty years of my pastoral ministry to have been the most valuable way in which I could have invested those years! When I consult with pastors, teach and mentor students, hold conferences for worship leaders, or write worship planning materials, my aim is to equip and inspire others to serve their Lord and Savior by making a whole-hearted investment in his church and his people. Such ministry is certainly not without its stresses and discouragements, and those of us who have found such joy in a life-time of ministry are uniquely fitted to encourage others.” Howard lives in Hudsonville, MI with his wife Eleanor. They have three married sons and ten grandchildren ages 5 through 19. His hobbies are yard-gardening, walking, photography and model railroading.
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