Sunday, April 30, 2017

The God of All Comfort?



2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Is there any comfort when there are no answers?

Job’s Story

Job’s friends are proof that people who lack insight and perspective are always ready to offer what they perceive to be infallible revelations.

The suffering of Job’s life was not because of his unrighteousness, but actually his righteousness. 

Job accuses God wrongfully of two things:

·   You don't really care for me.

·   Even if you do, you are not able to protect me.

All grief has anger that seeks a place to blame for its expression.

God Speaks to Job in a Storm- Job 38-42

In this storm, God brings not ruin but revelation. This is the longest discourse in the Bible in which God speaks.

1.    God’s first discourse answers questions about His concern.

·         God begins with Creation (38:4–11)

·         God turns to Inanimate Nature (38:22–38)

·         God Focuses on Animal Life (38:39–39:30)

Job Is Humbled By God’s Questions (Job 40:3-5)

2.    God’s second discourse addresses questions about His power. 

The sea is a symbol of chaos and evil, and the hippo and the crocodile are symbols of that in life.

Job Responds to God’s Replies. (Job 42:2-3)

After the first discourse Job was humiliated. After the second discourse, Job repents. (Job 42:5-6)

God Honors and Restores Job  (Job 42:7-14)

The Secret of Job’s Life was Endurance. (James 5:11)

The Conclusion of the Matter - True Comfort…

1. is triggered by mourning.

2. does not always include removal of the cause

3. can change tragedy into blessing.

4. makes us usable to God.  2 Corinthians 1:4

5. is bearing a heavy load sustained by someone who helps us overcome.

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