God desires to connect with us in our painful experiences by helping us come to a better understanding of Him and His ways, and to surrender our lives to His sovereign plan.
God speaks in our painful experiences
Job 38:1-4
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Job 38:41
Who provides food for the raven
when its young cry out to God
and wander about for lack of food?
HE REVEALS WHO HE IS.
--He is Lord (Job 38:1).
--He is attentive (Job 38:2).
--He is Creator (Job 38:4).
--He is all-knowing (Job 38:4).
--He is all-powerful (Job 40:9).
HE REVEALS WHO WE ARE.
--We are only human (Job 38:3).
--We have limited understanding (Job 38:4).
--We can’t justify ourselves (Job 40:8).
HE REVEALS WHO IS SUFFICIENT.
(Job 38:41)
ARE YOU LISTENING TO HIM NOW?
God’s reigns in our painful experiences
Job 40:1-9
1The Lord said to Job:
2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!”
3 Then Job answered the Lord:
4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
5 I spoke once, but I have no answer—
twice, but I will say no more.”
6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:
7 “Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
8 “Would you discredit my justice?
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
9 Do you have an arm like God’s,
and can your voice thunder like his?
HE RULES JUSTLY OVER HIS CREATION
(Job 40:2,8)
HE RULES POWERFULLY OVER HIS CREATION
(Job 40:15 - 41:34)
Job 41:10
No one is fierce enough to rouse it.
Who then is able to stand against me?
HE RULES PURPOSEFULLY IN OUR PAIN
(Job 42:2-6)
Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Genesis 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
DO YOU TRUST HIM NOW?
God restores us from painful experiences.
Job 42:1-6
Then Job replied to the Lord:
2 “I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
WHEN WE CONFESS
(Job 42:1-5)
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
WHEN WE REPENT
(Job 42:6)
Acts 3:19
Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out
WHEN WE’RE RECONCILED
(Job 42:7-9)
Matthew 5:23-24
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
WHEN HE’S GRACIOUS
(Job 42:10-17)
ARE YOU RESPONDING HUMBLY TO GOD AND WAITING PATIENTLY FOR HIM TO ACT?
