Title: What's Behind Suffering
Contents
what is behind the suffering
Bible: Job 1: 6-12
“One day the sons of God came and stood before the LORD, and Satan came among them. The LORD said to Satan, Where do you come from? Satan answered the LORD and said, "I have gone through all the earth to and fro. The LORD said to Satan, "Have you paid attention to my servant Job? There is no one in the world who feared God and turned away from evil, with him and his liver pure and upright. Satan answered the LORD, saying, How can Job fear God without cause? Isn't the Lord a hedge around him and his house and all that he has? For you have blessed the work of their hands, and have made their possessions spread over the earth. Now stretch out your hand and strike all that he has. If you do, I will surely curse you face to face. The LORD said to Satan, "All that he has I give into your hand. But do not put your hand on his body. Immediately Satan withdrew from the presence of the LORD.'
Job is a real person. Even now, if you go to Iraq, there is Job's village and Job's tomb. Job is presumed to be a patriarchal man before the Exodus. In Chapter 1, it is said that Job offered sacrifices for his children. This was possible only with God's permission, and this is the basis for conjecture that Job must have been a contemporary of Abraham.
The theme of the book of Job is suffering. ‘Why do hardships come in life? Why must the righteous suffer?' Autumn theme. Suffering and trials are inseparable from life. Life is not knowing what will happen tomorrow. Like Job, we too can face this. But why do these things happen? Who can be sure that our fields will burn and our children will all die in one day? The book of Job is trying to say that there is something behind such suffering. Many unexpected things happen in history. When we know what is behind history, we can understand and deal with suffering. Also, there is a visible world and an invisible world. The visible world is just the tip of the iceberg. So, if you understand the invisible world, you can understand and cope with tribulation, trials, and suffering.
Everyone! State the difference between a religious Christian and a spiritual Christian. God looks at the heart. It is an illusion to think that you are God's people because you are part of God's people. God asks what motivates us. Have you come to worship? Don't look at people. Look at God. God knows our hearts. God was also aware of Satan's evil motives. He was aware of Satan's plan. Satan is also an instrument of God. So he allows Job to suffer. Satan accuses Job of hypocrisy. Says 'for no reason'. We are trying to get the right to test us from God. However, God saw that this tunnel of trials and tribulations will reveal whether or not you truly love God and will serve as an opportunity to strengthen your faith.
God is unchanging and just. But we have a harder time with the visible world. Otherwise, you must keep praying. This is because only those who usually pray can find God in the midst of suffering. Remember the saying, 'Watch and pray that you may not fall into temptation.' Behind the suffering lies the antagonism of Satan. Check our hearts and motives moment by moment. When we know the purpose of God's salvation, when we are in such a clear affiliation, we can walk deeply with the Lord among people. If you do not know the purpose of God's calling, you become a fanatic. Become a vague believer. In the midst of suffering, breaking what the world's dark rulers claim is a victorious life. Win over God with the wind.
a brief affliction
You cannot claim your 'rights' if you do not fulfill your 'duties'.
To claim 'rights', you must fulfill 'duties'.
The 'duty' of Christians is to live according to God's will.
'According to God's will' is another word for 'obedience'.
'Obedience' usually goes with 'suffering'.
“I believe in Jesus, so why are these ‘hardships’ coming?”
What I'm saying is that you don't know anything.
Avoiding 'suffering' is 'disobedience' and it is betraying God.
Do not avoid 'hardship' and accept it. 'Affliction' is temporary.
If you endure a moment's hardships well, you will be given great 'rights'.
“You yourself who have suffered for a little while
make you whole,
harden it,
make you strong,
He will establish the foundation” (1 Peter 5:10).
ⓒYongwoo Choi
over hardship
Elizabeth Murray grew up with parents who were drug addicts. The mother sold her daughter's coat to the point of buying drugs. Murray has been working at a gas station since the age of nine to support his parents. However, his parents soon passed away. The girl who suddenly became a homeless and ignorant girl made a decision. ‘I will not lead a tragic life like my parents. In order to do that, you have to study hard.’ She entered a special public school in New York, where she can attend without money, and after completing a four-year course in two, she was accepted into Harvard University. As her indomitable life became known in the New York Times, more than $200,000 in donations were collected from moved readers. In addition, several television programs in the United States aired the life of human victory, giving a calm impression to people.
Opportunities always come to those who do not give up hope. Despair is the most dreadful disease. “Knowing that perseverance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:4).