The Pain of Not Knowing Why We Suffer
A Tim Keller Sermon Summary
Suffering is inevitable, particularly when we get old and sick. Suffering comes in different ways, such as parents seeing their beloved kids leaving for colleges. Why do we suffer? Let’s learn from the book of Job.
Satan accused Job of fearing God because God had given him a lot. Job1. In OT, “fear” means an inward awe and wonder.
God, in control, allowed Satan to cause Job to lose all his children, servants and animals in one day. Typical responses fall into two camps.
Moralistic people believe that if you have lived a good life, you will get good stuffs. So, suffering is God’s punishment for bad behaviors. Cynical people don’t believe in God, or believe in God being incompetent/indifferent. To them, bad consequences are their own failure. Both responses arise from us intending to take control in life.
Suffering has no pat answers.
But we know one thing. We will suffer if we live for earthly objects because, for sure, one day we will lose them.
God never explained to Job why he suffered, but just asked Job whom he thought He was.
God could have told Job that the process had an end, with him getting back somewhat to where he was; and through it, he would become one of the most famous persons on earth, with the rest of history learning from him.
Instead God put him through the wringer. From the unexplained suffering, Job gained a better understanding of God and himself.
One of the main challenges of going through sufferings is that we doubt God’s goodness, love for us, and power.
According to Satan, there is no love. We are all self-centered mercenaries, manipulators. We are nice to others because we want things from others. We are serving ourselves.
When Satan went to Adam and Eve and alleged God didn’t really care for them, they agreed. We are similar. So, we want to be in control and we focus on earthly objects.
God shows us there is love and goodness via the cross. Christ has everything. Yet, He gave them up, was crushed and abandoned. Christ’s action shows God loves us as who we are, proving Satan a liar.
When we suffer on earth, accept them and accept our ignorance.
Trust our mighty God has His plan. Trust in His goodness and His love for us.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/questions-of-suffering-5565/
Satan accused Job of fearing God because God had given him a lot. Job1. In OT, “fear” means an inward awe and wonder.
God, in control, allowed Satan to cause Job to lose all his children, servants and animals in one day. Typical responses fall into two camps.
Moralistic people believe that if you have lived a good life, you will get good stuffs. So, suffering is God’s punishment for bad behaviors. Cynical people don’t believe in God, or believe in God being incompetent/indifferent. To them, bad consequences are their own failure. Both responses arise from us intending to take control in life.
Suffering has no pat answers.
But we know one thing. We will suffer if we live for earthly objects because, for sure, one day we will lose them.
God never explained to Job why he suffered, but just asked Job whom he thought He was.
God could have told Job that the process had an end, with him getting back somewhat to where he was; and through it, he would become one of the most famous persons on earth, with the rest of history learning from him.
Instead God put him through the wringer. From the unexplained suffering, Job gained a better understanding of God and himself.
One of the main challenges of going through sufferings is that we doubt God’s goodness, love for us, and power.
According to Satan, there is no love. We are all self-centered mercenaries, manipulators. We are nice to others because we want things from others. We are serving ourselves.
When Satan went to Adam and Eve and alleged God didn’t really care for them, they agreed. We are similar. So, we want to be in control and we focus on earthly objects.
God shows us there is love and goodness via the cross. Christ has everything. Yet, He gave them up, was crushed and abandoned. Christ’s action shows God loves us as who we are, proving Satan a liar.
When we suffer on earth, accept them and accept our ignorance.
Trust our mighty God has His plan. Trust in His goodness and His love for us.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/questions-of-suffering-5565/