Listen Here
Share
Download
Today we open the book of Job, a complex story about a good man who suffered the cosmic loss of everything. What did God want Job to know in the midst of his suffering? And what do we need to know in our own suffering? In this episode, we remember that we're not alone in hardship and that God is trustworthy. Even when the pain is so intense that we can barely see beyond it, God is at work limiting chaos and giving life.
Bible Reading Job 38:1-18
Reflection Questions
- What is one area of suffering in your life or in the world? Take some time now to tell God how you feel about it. He hears you.
- Ask God for more understanding. How might he be working to limit the chaos in that painful situation? What comes to mind as you listen for his wisdom?
- How might God be laboring to give life even in the midst of suffering? If you can't see any signs of life yet, keep watching. God doesn't let pain have the final word against his people.
Show Credits
Host: Cheree Hayes Message: Dr. Carissa Quinn Production and Bible Reading: Dan Gummel Theme music: Grant William Harold Background Music: Sean Williams, Fortitude
Powered and distributed by Simplecast.
Reflect
Once you've listened to the podcast, take time to reflect on these questions.
- What is one area of suffering you see in your life or in the world? Take some time now to tell God how you feel about it. He hears you.
- Ask God for understanding. How might he be working to limit the chaos in that painful situation? What comes to mind as you listen for his wisdom?
- Ask God for understanding. How might he be giving life in the midst of the suffering? (If nothing comes to mind, keep watching. God doesn’t let pain have the final word against his people.)
Go Deeper
If you would like to dive deeper, use these Scriptures and questions for personal study or small group discussion.
Message Question
How did Carissa’s message challenge or encourage you today?
Read: Job 38:1-18, Job 42:1-6
God created the whole universe. He cares for creation in ways that stretch far beyond our comprehension. We might not understand why we suffer, but we can know that we are not alone in our suffering. God knows the pain we feel. He feels it too. So when our pain doesn’t make sense and it’s so intense that we can barely see beyond it, we can trust that God is at work limiting chaos and giving life.
- As you review today’s passage, make a list of the specific things that God controls. What thoughts or feelings do you experience as you think about God’s powerful works?
- Review your list. If Job couldn’t do or understand these things, how could he begin to understand God’s judgments? Read Job’s response to God’s speech (Job 42:1-6). When have you been confronted with your own limitations in a way that humbled you?
- When Job says he will “despise himself and repent” (Job 42:6), he’s not saying he will hate himself or that he is worthless to God. The Hebrew word used here can also be translated as “refuse.” Job is saying that he will refuse his own limited judgments in order to trust God’s infinite knowledge. What has it looked like for you (or others) to humbly trust God’s understanding in the midst of suffering?
- Turn your reflections into a prayer. Express your awe of God’s power and understanding of the world he created. Pray for the healing and comfort of others you know who are suffering now.