When we look around the world, we see war, mass shootings, pain, evil, and suffering. We see a lot of bad things living in a creation that was deemed very good when it all started. No doubt as a result of the fall, we still question how it is possible for a good God who is in control and all-powerful to allow such things. We look at our suffering, due to loss, heartbreak, physical pain, trauma, etc. and we wonder if there will come a day when complete healing will come. At least I wonder about all of these things regularly.

When we think of suffering, it’s normal to think of the story of Job. We read of all his hardships, one after the other, and we can only imagine what it would be like to endure such troubling experiences. In the story we read today, we are introduced to all of these hardships. As we read, we question what is going on as the enemy wants to attack and destroy Job. Understandably, Job goes on to curse his experience in this world. To the point of wishing he would not have been born. From the mouth of Job’s wife, we are presented with the enemy’s goal for all this suffering, “Curse God and die.” Yet Job does not. In fact, in all the suffering Job endured, there is a particular attitude that remains steadfast. “Job does not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Job 1:22

The truth is, above all our questions about good and evil and who’s responsible, one thing stands true above all else: God is a good God. God does not produce evil, nor is he to be charged with wrongdoing. The suffering in the world and our lives is caused by the enemy and our lack of obedience. God, in turn, works in all things for good. God gives suffering a purpose. He redeems the evil, the suffering, and the pain, at the very least, in identification with His suffering on the cross. That when we suffer, we might remember that our God, the God of the entire universe suffers with us. That we are not alone. That we have a High Priest who identifies with us.

1 Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”