The first place we turn in scripture to answer questions about suffering is always the book of Job.  That is a great location, to be sure.  However, I believe that if Job were here to speak with us, he would be talking about the things he learned through the suffering rather than the depth of the pain of his suffering. 

Job entered his time of trial with lots of active faith currency that had already been deposited as a credit to his spiritual account.  Chapter one says that Job was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.  He practiced the offering of sacrifices on behalf of his ten children to keep them in close relationship with God. 

Then there was the day of the meeting between God and Satan concerning Job.  God held Job in high regard and presented him as such before Satan.  The enemy was anxious to get his “hands” on Job.  For some reason unknown to mankind, God allowed Satan permission to take everything from Job except his health and his life. 

In one afternoon, Job lost every head of his livestock in succession:  oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels and all the servants that worked with them.  Three servants survived to tell each story.  Then, before Job could catch his breath, a fourth servant arrived with the news that all of Job’s children had perished in a sudden windstorm. 

Job’s default setting was to trust God and worship Him alone in all weathers.  Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head.  These were signs of deep grief and great lament.  He did not blame God or commit sin.  He would be a man suffering in the darkness of a lack of understanding, but he would walk in the light of trusting faith.

In the next meeting with Satan, God would permit the enemy to touch Job’s body with illness to accompany all his grief.  God did not allow Satan to take Job’s life.  Job’s wife was certainly also suffering deep grief and anguish, but her response couldn’t hold a candle to the response of Job.  Basically, she said, “Job, forget your integrity, just curse God and die!” 

My grandmother used to say, “Poor Job.  God took everything and left him with this nagging wife.  I imagine Job wondered what in the world could have been worse!” 

Job’s response to her was, “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?”  That woman was married to the husband of the century.

Job asked God a lot of questions that were never answered.  We will never know on this side of heaven every one of the answers to our questions.  It’s ok to ask them.  We must trust God when heaven is silent.  

Job 13:15 reflects the hope Job had in his God: “Though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him.”  His testimony of faith is clearly seen in Job 19:25, “I know that my Redeemer lives.  At the last, He will take His stand on the earth.  Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God whom I myself shall behold and whom my eyes shall see and not another.” 

Even though the book of Job is near the center of scripture, many scholars believe that he was a contemporary of Abraham.  That would mean that nearly 2000 years before Jesus, Job held dear the hope of resurrection!  Job served an ever-living Savior! 

In Job 23, we see that the deep, abiding faith of this suffering was genuine.  Basically, Job was saying that even if he can’t make sense of any of this suffering, he can’t even locate God or figure any of this out… he was fully assured that God saw him right where he was.  God was testing him like gold for purity.  “I am doing my best to hold to His paths.  I am remembering His commands.  I have treasured Him and His words.  I fully believe that He will perform and accomplish what is appointed for me.” 

In Job 30, we see his humanity crying out against his suffering.  He got evil instead of good.  Darkness instead of light.  He is afflicted and mourns without comfort.  His instruments of gladness and joy now only play laments.  These are true feelings of despair.  But Job was not a quitter.  He knew God had his best interests in mind.  In Job 42, Job responds to God in repentance seasoned with confession and faith. 

We trust our lives to the One who sees the end from the beginning and who will be with us until we arrive there!  Every episode of suffering in our lives becomes a steppingstone to climb higher.  If it requires our death, we simply step into the arms of Jesus.  

Suffering: 
When it comes to it, none are exempt, and we may never know any reasons why.
While you are in it, God is sovereignly accomplishing His glory and our good. 
After you go through it, you realize God’s provision is sufficiently ENOUGH.