Does God Cause Suffering?预览

Day Four: When the Fiery Trials Come

What do we say when the fiery trials come? James 1:2-3 tells us to consider it pure joy. And what do we do when we see inexplicable suffering in the life of a believer? Job spoke of the times when upright men would be horrified over this. Nevertheless, “the righteous will hold fast to his way, and those with clean hands will increase in strength” (Job 17:8-9), “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Yes, truly, “many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers them out of them all” (Psalms 34:19). Hallelujah! And may the name of the Lord be praised.

We cannot fully understand the book of Job without the wonderful change that has come about in the New Testament. Under the old covenant, God placed a hedge of protection around the righteous, now, under the new covenant, we have been given power and authority over that same enemy that wants to destroy us. Luke 10:18-20: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

The blood of Jesus has delivered us from the enemy. We now have an escape from the afflictions. Jesus said we would have trouble in this world, but to be of good cheer, because He had overcome the world. He said that the devil comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (God showed us that truth in the book of Job), but that He had come to give us life, and give it to the full. The book of Job cannot stand on its own but must be read in light of the New Testament with Jesus as our Redeemer. God’s character shows that He loves us so much that He gave His only Son so we can have this power and authority over the enemy that wishes to destroy us.